Kwara Gov, AbdulRazaq flag off distributions of free insecticide treated nets

In a bid to ensure that the people of the state are protected against acute malaria, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has on Thursday Flag off distribution of free insecticide treated mosquito nets to the residents of the state.

The flag off ceremony which held at the government house, Ahmadu Bello way Ilorin, in the presence of the representatives of the partnership organizations.

AbdulRazaq urged the people of the state to be receptive to the distribution of free treated mosquitoes nets said is the surest way to guide against being infected with malaria.

The Governor, also expressed appreciation to the former minister of health, Hajia Amina Ndalolo who is an ambassador of mosquitoes nets in Nigeria for her contribution to the campaign of achieving malaria free society.

Reading his speech earlier, the state commissioner of health, Dr. Raji Rasaq hailed Governor AbdulRazaq efforts in ensuring that kwara state is now enjoying all the benefits due to it as a result of being proactive in area of payment of counterpart funds in health sector.

“We shall never be tired of appreciating your the good intentions with verifiable evidence to prove that your mission is to liberate kwara from the company of the rejected to the family of highly cherished and acceptable ones”

The commissioner stressed that “The flag off of the house to house distribution that commenced today is the result of your investment in the health sector, just when you were about two months in the office, the 82 million naira of 2019 has fetched us about 2.3 million pieces of insecticide treated nets worth more that 3.3 billion naira”

The commissioner also made it know that the assignment will create nothing less than six thousands temporary employment for the people of the state.

In his own remarks, the minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who was represented at the event by Dr. Abubakar Adamu ismail said Kwara state is one of the three states selected to benefit from the 2020 mass distribution of insecticide treated nets campaign aimed at delivery of 2.3 million to beneficiaries.

He, disclosed that “ the distribution will cover all the 16 local government areas in the state, added that Nigeria has continued to witness appreciable progress in malaria control and elimination efforts, saying Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (DHS) 2018 where prevalence in children under 5 years dropped to 23% from 42% recorded in the 2010”

Further explained that, in their recent survey result, Kwara state, recorded a prevalence of 20%. He, however urged the people of the state to embrace the free distribution of the treated mosquitoes nets   to further reduce the figure.

The minister also called on the traditional and religious leaders to support the novel effort and spread the ITNs message to build in communities, a sustainable “net culture” that promotes sleeping inside the net every night.