Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says it will commence the distribution of more than five million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), across the state by the third week of August.
Deputy Director Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr Olubunmi Ayinde who made this known at a media parley in Ibadan by the health Ministry and the Breakthrough Action-Nigeria (BA-N) of the USAID, said during the household mobilisation campaign from July 30 to August 7, each household will be given net cards to use for the nets collection.
According to her, after the net campaign is flagged off in August 16, every household is entitled to a maximum of four free ITNs, depending on population size, urging residents to be available in their residences for the net cards.
She stated further that 2,000 distribution points would be opened across the 351 wards in the state, saying: “One net card, one net, no net card, no net.”
BA-N’s Senior Technical Advisor, Malaria, Mr Idowu Akanmu said the nets would be distributed to replace the four million insecticide-treated nets distributed in 2016 because each net has between three and four years lifespan.
BA-N’s Demand Creation Consultant, Mr Femi Babatunde, however, warned against improper use of the ITNs, saying after collection, the net should be spread under the shade for 24 hours before use, and that if the net is dirty, it should be washed with mild soap about four to five times in a year and not more than 20 washes in three to four years.
He declared that sleeping inside the net guarantees sound sleep undisturbed by mosquitoes because the nets kill mosquitoes and serve as a barrier to prevent mosquito bites.
According to him, “it is easier and cheaper to hang and sleep inside the net than to treat malaria. You gain health and save money when you hang and sleep under your net. There is nowhere you cannot use the net, even if sleeping outside.”
Oyo State’s Director of Public Health, Dr Wole Lawal said that ITNs are very important in malaria prevention, as 97 per cent of the population of Nigeria still suffers from malaria and the country contributes 45 per cent to the world figure on malaria infections.
Dr Lawal declared: “Malaria is the second cause of death in adults, apart from HIV. It is the third killer in children under five years, apart from pneumonia and diarrhoea. Malaria destroys blood. So, we need to save our children, pregnant women and everyone from malaria.”
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