Oba Regent, LG Chairman laud Govt, Consortium for Free Mosquito Nets Distribution

… task Africans to stop Malaria using ITNS

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Regent of Oba, Prince Noel Ezenwa (Ezeammaalu Oba) has commended Anambra State Government, Give-Well partners and Malaria Consortium for sponsoring the free distribution of Insecticidal Treated Nets (ITNS) to every household in Idemili South Local Government Area(ISLGA).

Speaking at Oba Civic center during the flag off campaign for the Mass distribution of ITNS in ISLGA, Prince Ezenwa stressed that mosquito bites and malaria which have been taken for granted by Africans still remain one of the major killer diseases.

“Historical myth claims that Africans used Mosquito bite to pursue the early European explorers, that could be because the Whiteman’s immune system has no resistance to malaria which killed many of them.

“Ironically malaria has now turned back to attack we Africans causing huge depletion of our meagre resources on treatment and preventable deaths after brief illness. Let everyone learn to sleep under treated nets which is today distributed for free,” said Ezenwa.

Ezenwa also thanked the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) aspirant for House of Representatives Idemili North & South Constituency and ISLGA Net Advocate, Hon Ikenna Iyiegbu ( Ike Cubana) for sponsoring the Net distribution flag off occasion.

In her address, ISLGA Transition Chairman, Mrs. Amaka Obi (Iyom Idemili) who noted that the flag off occasion was her first official program eulogized the solution oriented Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and all Malaria Elimination partners for sponsoring free distribution of ITNS.

“We are here to sensitize our people to sleep under treated nets for malaria prevention. Malaria is a life threatening disease transmitted to people through the bites of female anopheles mosquitoes.It is preventable and curable.

“This intervention is aimed at achieving the ownership of ITNS by giving free nets to the people. The burden of malaria illness, child mortality can reduce when a large number of people prevent themselves while sleeping.

Mrs Obi after thanking the Net Advocate and flag off occasion sponsor, Hon. Iyiegbu, appreciated the ISLGA Health Authority, Malaria Focal Person and health workers encouraging them to distribute the nets with humility and dedication for the betterment of humanity and ISLGA.

The Head of Department, ISLGA Health Authority, Mrs Grace Umegbolu said that various training have been going on to ensure efficient Distribution of ITNs to every Household for effective malaria prevention.

“The Net is two persons to one net, house to house and not more than four nets per household”, said Umegbolu.

Moreover, Hon. Iyiegbu who was unveiled as ISLGA Net Advocate thanked Ministry of Health, Malaria Consortium, National Malaria Elimination Program, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and other malaria partners for choosing him.

“Malaria is the highest cause of hospital attendance, responsible for most absenteeism from work, school, farm and markets. Sleeping inside ITNS every night is a sure way of protecting our families from the mosquitoes that spread malaria.

“I am a willing advocate for this crusade. As ISLGA Net Advocate I promise to use different channels and resources to disseminate messages on the proper use of ITNS by families every night.

“I call on you all my good people of Idemili South to make yourselves available at home and provide accurate information to be registered and be given free nets during the distribution from today till August 17, 2022.

“I appeal to all of you in the LGA to support me with this crusade to win the war against malaria by sleeping inside ITNS every night all year round,” said Iyiegbu.

However, ISLGA Malaria Focal Person,Mrs Loretta Olisa educated the people on how to use ITNS. “Firstly, air your new net for at least 24hours under a shed before use/sleeping inside. Hang your net over your sleeping area”.

“Sleep inside the nets every night with the edges well tucked in. Roll up the net when you wake up. Wash your net with mild soap when dirty and dry under a shed. Mend your net with needle and thread when torn,”she said.