Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has designated 549 health facilities for free malaria treatment across the state.
Dr Ifeoma Otiji, the Coordinator of the Enugu State Malaria Elimination Programme, made this announcement during the Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) Core-Group Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday in Enugu.
The meeting was attended by officials from the National Malaria Elimination Programme, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, media, and health officers.
The meeting focused on strategies for malaria control and elimination.
Otiji explained that the health facilities were designated to help eliminate malaria in Enugu.
She encouraged residents to visit the centres for free malaria tests and anti-malaria medications.
According to her, malaria treatment is now available at 549 primary, secondary, and private health centres across the state.
She also emphasised that the state government was prioritising malaria treatment, noting improvements in the availability of anti-malaria medicines in health facilities compared to the past.
“If you have a fever, we first test you, and if the result is positive, we treat you,” Otiji said.
However, she warned that malaria should not be downplayed, especially in pregnant women and babies, as it could have severe consequences, including death.
Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor, National Coordinator of the Malaria Elimination Programme, stated that malaria continued to be a significant burden, particularly on vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children under five years.
She stressed that combating malaria required commitment, innovation, and collaboration from all stakeholders.
Ogbulafor lauded Enugu State Government for its proactive approach but urged the state to intensify efforts to eliminate malaria, noting that statistics showed a high prevalence of the disease in the state.
Dr Uchechukwu Okenwa, Director of Public Health and Disease Control in Enugu, highlighted the importance of ACSM in raising awareness and engaging communities in the fight against malaria.
Mrs Hope Obokoh of the National Malaria Elimination Programme urged Nigerians to practice environmental cleanliness by eliminating stagnant water and cutting bushes, emphasising that these measures help reduce mosquito breeding sites.
The meeting also served as a platform for sub-committees to discuss malaria control strategies.
