Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Enugu State Government has designated 549 health facilities for free malaria treatment, aiming to curb the disease across the state.
The coordinator of the Enugu State Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Ifeoma Otiji revealed this during the Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilisation Core-Group Quarterly Meeting in Enugu.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the National Malaria Elimination Programme, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and health officers, to discuss strategies for malaria control and elimination.
Dr. Otiji highlighted that these health facilities—comprising primary, secondary, and private centres—were equipped to provide free malaria tests and medications.
“If you have a fever, we first test you, and if the result is positive, we treat you,” she stated, emphasizing the state government’s commitment to improving malaria treatment accessibility.
She cautioned against downplaying malaria, especially for pregnant women and young children, as the disease could have severe consequences, including death.
Supporting this stance, national coordinator of the Malaria Elimination Programme, Nnenna Ogbulafor, noted that malaria remains a major health burden and called for sustained commitment and collaboration to eliminate it.
The discussions underscored the importance of public engagement in malaria prevention. Enugu’s director of Public Health and Disease Control, Uchechukwu Okenwa stressed the role of Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilisation in raising awareness.
Hope Obokoh of the National Malaria Elimination Programme urged residents to maintain environmental cleanliness by eliminating stagnant water and cutting bushes to reduce mosquito breeding.
While commending the state’s proactive approach, Dr. Ogbulafor urged Enugu’s government to intensify its efforts, citing high malaria prevalence in the state.
The meeting also served as a platform for sub-committees to refine strategies for malaria control.
