An NGO, Single Mothers Support Initiative (SMSI), on Monday distributed 3,000-insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women in Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo.
Dr Blessing Eson, the founder of the NGO, presenting the items to the beneficiaries said that the nets were provided free to enhance treatment of the disease and encourage quality healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
“SMSI has been creating the awareness on the use of the nets, ensuring an effective case management and promoting good sanitation to control the disease,” she said.
Eson described malaria as a “harbinger of poverty and death”, urging individuals to maintain good hygiene by cleaning their environments to keep mosquitoes at bay.
She said that an increased public awareness about malaria would facilitate improved commitment and behavioural change toward its elimination.
She, however, called on the beneficiaries to protect themselves against the disease by ensuring effective utilisation of the nets
“There is more to be done to close knowledge gaps around transmission, prevention and diagnosis of malaria,” she said.
She called on stakeholders to embrace the national policy on malaria in order to reduce its prevalence in the country.
“There is the need for governments and private organisations to intensify efforts to eliminate malaria in Nigeria.
“There is the need for collaboration between governments and private organizations to bring down malaria scourge to its lowest minimal,” she said.
(NAN)
Malaria: NGO distributes 3,000 mosquito nets to pregnant women
