Gov Namadi flag off distribution of 3.2 million ITNs, targets 3.2m children
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
As part of effort to fight and eliminate malaria in Jigawa state, governor Malam Umar Namadi on Wednesday launched distribution of 3.2 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and 6.8 million Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC).
Speaking during the flagging off, held at Katanga town area of Kiyawa local government, the governor said, the effort will help in reducing maternal mortality and mobidity in the state.
Governor Namadi who said reports shows that use of Insecticide Treated Nets reduce in large number the incident of malaria in Jigawa, urged the people in the state to continue using the SMC and ITNs for successful elimination of malaria in Jigawa state.
He described malaria as one of the major disease creating huge challenges and burden in the state public healthcare and they are ever ready to collaborate with any partner to tackle the deseas.
“We are not only going to supportGlobal Fund but we must prepare to maintain what they are doing because they can’t provide such service forever but government work to people must remain forever”.
” We increased our health budgets, we commenced upgrading of our hospitals, we employed 1,000 health workers included doctors, we introduced health insurance for vulnarebles and less privileges within one year in our effort to ensure access to basic healthcare services for all of our people inrespect of their socio-economic status ”
The governor than called on the general public to make use of mosquitoes nets for reducing the prevalence of Maleria cases which kills children and pregnant women more than any other disease in the state.
While making his remarks, the head of Global Fund in Nigeria, Dr Jim Thomas said, fighting against Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV is one of the key area they are focusing in Nigeria.
He added that, in achieving the desire goals they increased their budget for 2024-2026 for more expanded intervention.
Dr Jim’s added that, the distribution of the mosquito nets is part of the project they are doing to for fighting against Maleria and they are kind of corporations they received in Jigawa state is very encouraging and commendable.
He however revealed that as a result of government commitment and partners intervention the prevalence of malaria cases in Jigawa state has reduced from 39.6 percent in 2013 to 24.7 percent in 2023.
