By Ayo Ismail
Sleeping under an Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) is the most widely adopted preventive measure against malaria, as stated by Unegbu Jacinta Ogochukwu, the coordinator of Isin Local Government for Family Health.
Ogochukwu made this statement in Isanlu Isin, Isin Local Government, during the commencement of the distribution of insecticide nets to the people of the Council.
Over 55,000 insecticide-treated nets are to be distributed to the people of the Council following the flag-off of the distribution of mosquito nets across the state.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, recently flagged off the distribution of 2.2 million insecticide nets across the state.
Ogochukwu, while speaking during the commencement of house-to-house distribution in Isanlu Isin, emphasized that malaria remains endemic in the country. She added that sleeping under insecticide-treated nets is safe and effective for malaria prevention.
She explained that the Society for Family Health is working in collaboration with the Global Fund and Catholic Relief Services to reduce the malaria scourge through the distribution of free insecticide-treated nets.
Households with eligible children between three months and 59 months old must ensure they receive SPAQ, which is given only to children who are not sick and are between three and 59 months of age.
The coordinator explained, “Caregivers must ensure their children complete the SPAQ dosage for Days 2 and 3.
“The newly collected ITNs MUST be aired under a SHADE for 24 hours before hanging and sleeping inside. Bring down the old nets and hang the new ones.
“Malaria has significant consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations like children under five years old and pregnant women. It is also a leading cause of illness and death in Nigeria.
“Malaria is a leading cause of illness and death in Nigeria, contributing to high child mortality rates and reduced productivity. Untreated malaria can result in complications such as anemia, organ failure, and even death.”
Speaking at the event, the Council Chairman of Isin Local Government, Hon. Tunde Fadipe, appreciated the government and partners’ efforts toward reducing the malaria scourge in the state.
Fadipe observed that all the health intervention programs of the state government have been most productive and impactful in reducing mortality rates among children and pregnant women in the state.
He called on the people of the council to keep their environment clean and tidy to prevent the malaria scourge in the communities.
Similarly, Olusin of Isanlu Isin, in Isin Local Government of Kwara State, Oba Solomon Adegboyega Oloyede, urged his people to complement the government and partners’ efforts in the reduction of the malaria scourge by sleeping under insecticide-treated nets.
He also called on his subjects to shun the rumors of fake vaccine interventions going around the state, saying all interventions of the present administration are reducing mortality rates.
Oloyede appreciated the present administration for its commitment to ensuring that healthcare delivery is prioritized in the state.
Speaking on how to use the net, the Head of the Health Department at Isin local government, Hajia Adama Ayinde, stressed that it must be spread under a shade for 24 hours before use.
She added that it must neither be washed nor dried under the sun to avoid wastage of the insecticide with which it had been treated.
“I implore our people to use the net properly for their prevention against malaria fever,” she added.
The net ambassador of Isin Local Government, the wife of the council Chairman, Mrs. Fadipe, urged pregnant women to always sleep under insecticide nets to prevent malaria during pregnancy.
She promised to support the campaign in the council to reduce malaria to zero levels in the area.