… As Nwapa Advises Govt To Invest In Primary Health Care
In redirecting malaria elimination interventions from curative to preventive and quit cosmetic approach, the End Malaria In Nigeria, Malaria Partners International (MPI), Rotary Club Of Kwale (New Dawn) and the Hatch Pest Control and Environmental Service Ltd has carried out indoor residual spraying in the homes of 300 pregnant and nursing mothers in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Mosquito Control Intervention with the theme, “Attack Mosquito To Attack Malaria” at the LG secretariat Hall, in Ndokwa West LGA, Kwale, Delta State, the convener of End Malaria In Nigeria and MD of Hatch Pest Control and Environmental Service Ltd, PCO Francis Nwapa, called on the Federal, State and Local government to immediately mobilize Environmental health professionals in coming up with National environmental health and water management plan that would address drainage and dams construction, construction of sanitary landfill amongst others.
He urged the government to invest in primary health care and improve remuneration for health workers, adequately fund Nigeria vaccine development laboratory, Nigeria Institute of medical research and also establish and adequately fund research centres in Universities across the nation.
The Supervisor for Health in Ndokwa West Local and representative of the Local Government Council Chairman, Mrs Joyce Okonye appreciated the intervention of the partnership and said Malaria was a huge challenge that needs drastic solution to combat.
On his part the Immediate past President of Rotary Club of Kwale (New Dawn) Mrs. Juliet Onakpovhie in her opening speech appreciated the Convener of #EndMalariaInNigeria and his partners for their intervention and support, stating that malaria is a huge burden in Ndokwa West LGA of Kwale especially among pregnant and nursing women which necessitated the intervention.
In the same vein, the President of Rotary Club of Kwale (New Dawn) Mr. Alexander Osademe commended them for the initiative and enumerated such several interventions the Club was known for and encouraged people to join the Club.
On his part, the NULGE Chairman, Comrade Ikechukwu Opone frowned at how poor drainage system allows water to gather and provide breeding spaces for mosquitoes to thrive. He called on the government to ensure there was a proper drainage system.
The HOD and the Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Baba Yakubu who was represented by the Local Government Deputy Head of Department, Environmental Health Department, Sanitarian Clement Okonye, reiterated the need for proper sanitation, cutting of weeds, not clogging drainages and construction of modern drainage so as not to provide breeding sites for mosquito.
Highlight of the event was the carrying out drainage larvisiding of the communities.
The event which had 106 attendance was anchored by a member of the #EndMalariaInNigeria team, Mr.Babatunde Oluajo.
