The Kogi Government said it has taken delivery of medical consignments worth N1 billion for malaria prevention in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Zakari Usman, disclosed this at a news conference held on Wednesday in Lokoja, as part of activities to mark the 2023 World Malaria Day celebration.
According to him, the consignment received recently from Malaria Consortium, its partner in the control of malaria and other communicable diseases, was aimed at reducing the endemic disease to its barest minimum in Kogi.
Dr. Usman said 2023, which would be the 16th year celebration of ‘World Malaria Day’, had its theme as “Delivering Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate and Implement”.
The commissioner noted that Governor Yahaya Bello administration’s chief policy for the realisation of a ‘Malaria Free State’ was put in place under the “Bello’s Medicalcare Initiative.”
He explained that the initiative provides the opportunity for citizens to visit health facilities to access free treatment and preventive measures.
Dr. Usman noted that the present administration had done its best in the area of doctors’ recruitment, as well as that of nurses and other categories of health personnel.
He also noted that drugs were also procured drugs to tackle the health needs of the people.
“I am happy to inform you that in Kogi State, malaria has drastically dropped to 16 per cent and we are aiming at having zero percentage by God’s grace.
“Having zero percentage, I strongly believe is achievable because we will not relent in our investment, innovation and implementation in the control of malaria in Kogi.
“In 2020, over 241 clinical cases on malaria and 2,027 deaths were recorded from Sub-Sahara Africa, a disease caused by female Anopheles mosquitoes
“Malaria prevention, I believe, is everybody’s business, hence the need for both the public and private organisations, as well as individuals to complement government’s efforts,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Francis Akpa, described malaria as a killer disease that requires urgent treatment.
He appealed to people, especially the most vulnerable children and pregnant women in Sub-Sahara Africa, to play their part to ensure a malaria-free society.
(NAN)
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