Nigerians should be more concerned about prevention of malaria ―Mrs Ambode

WIFE of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, on Wednesday urged Lagosians and Nigerians in general, to be more concerned with preventing rather than curing malaria infection, saying a situation where a global average of 400,000 deaths were recorded annually and a child dies every two minutes from the infection around the world according to WHO account was unacceptable.

She gave the charge in Oregun, HOFOWEM office, when her pet project, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative HOFOWEM, distributed over 3,000 insecticide-treated nets, at Makoko community, Yaba LCDA, as part of activities to mark 2018 World Malaria Day.

Mrs Ambode charged that efforts should be geared towards a robust prevention of the scourge through wide-spread use of nets, indoor spraying with insecticide and preventive treatment of expectant mothers.

“The World Health Organization tells us that more than 400,000 malaria deaths still occur annually, and at least one child dies of the infection every two minutes around the world, this is bad enough. It cannot go on this way, we need to scale down the ugly trend, by doing more to prevent rather than chase after cure.

“We cannot fold our arms and allow malaria to continue to ravage our society. This epidemic has claimed too many lives, whether in our country, Africa or the world in general,” she lamented.

The governor’s wife, however, said all hope was not lost as the scourge was not without cure, adding: “Thank God, it is not a disease without prevention or cure, and since it has both, the easier way out is to prevent it.”

She expressed the hope that the theme for this year, “End Malaria for Good” was attainable, if governments, NGOs, stakeholders and individuals, worked together to combat the epidemic.

Mrs Ambode specifically appealed for more investment in malaria prevention, as well as greater funding for malaria control in endemic countries, stressing that this would aid the attainment of WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria projection of 40 percent reduction in cases and deaths by 2020.

“HOFOWEM as a foundation is concerned about the welfare and health of the family. The family cannot be productive if it is plagued with one of the fastest killers in medical history. This is why we are advocating for the use of treated insecticide nets, proper disposal of waste and a clean environment generally,” she said.

Speaking further, the governor’s wife expressed happiness at the gradual improvement in public awareness on malaria issue as indicated by people’s warm acceptance of the nets.

She, however, noted that public education and enlightenment must go on and the programme extended to other communities in the state.

Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Kayode Omiyale, in his address to the community members, thanked the founder of HOFOWEM Foundation for celebrating 2018 World Malaria Day with the community and counselled Makoko residents to ensure the insecticide distributed was used for the purpose for which it was given.

He appealed that they should keep their environment clean at all times to avoid breeding mosquitoes, charging them to take as priority personal and community hygiene.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HOFOWEM, Mrs Olayinka Oyefunke, also expressed appreciation to the founder for approving the purchase and mass distribution of the nets, stressing that it was in line with HOFOWEM’s philosophy of touching people’s lives.

The Baale of Ilaje-Makoko community, Alhaji Ibraheem Aladetan, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, equally thanked the founder of HOFOWEM, Mrs Ambode, for her care, promising on behalf of others, that their homes and immediate surroundings would always be kept clean since mosquitoes bred more in a filthy environment.

He also assured that the insecticide net would be used for the purpose for which it was given.

April 25th of every year is World Malaria Day, set aside since 2007 to recognize global efforts at controlling malaria, provide education on the scourge and spread information on control strategies in endemic areas across the world.