Reckitt Benckiser, state health ministries make case for healthier Nigeria

Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Nigeria, makers of Mortein insecticide Brand, has announced its partnership with the federal Ministry of Health and other health ministries in the country, aimed at sensitising the public on the need to drastically reduce malaria morbidity and mortality rates in the country.

Quoting from the latest World Health Organisation (WHO)  World Malaria Report, released in November 2017, the Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Aliza Leferink expressed worries at the  revelation of 216 million cases of malaria in 2016, representing an increase  from 211 million cases recorded  in 2015.

‘‘As I speak to you, millions of people are suffering from malaria all over Nigeria and every minute a child reportedly dies from malaria.

“According to the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBMP), Nigeria is the highest malaria-burden country, accounting for 26 percent of global malaria cases and almost a third of related deaths. There are millions of people who remain without access to malaria prevention or even treatment resulting in preventable deaths. Most of these cases and even deaths go unreported because of lack of proper documentation.

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“This puts a strain on health systems and national malaria programme budgets, hence calling for sophisticated intervention adaptable in combating and eliminating malaria and malaria transmission to its barest minimum,” he stated.

The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Dr. Audu Bala Mohammed urged stakeholders to be unrelenting in the fight against  malaria.

“There have been consistent results because we have not backed down in our efforts ensuring adequate performance from all quarters. We have also tackled the emergence of drug and insecticide resistance. It is our firm belief that Nigeria will join countries that have eliminated malaria in the world,” he added.