Gombe State Flags-Off Insecticide Treated Nets Distribution

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has flagged off the distribution of Insecticide-Treated Nets and other Seasonal Malaria Chemo-prevention regimen, as part of the ongoing efforts to eliminate Malaria in the State.

He said, even though Malaria was preventable and curable, it was still a public health challenge across the world, but most importantly in sub-Saharan Africa.

According Governor Yahaya, the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Malaria remain one of the leading causes of deaths, particularly among children under the age of five and pregnant women.

He expressed delight on the reports indicating a decline in the number of Malaria-associated deaths, attributing the achievements to the collective efforts of all partners, especially those present at the flag off.

“The use of insecticide treated nets and the administration of seasonal malaria chemo-prevention medicines has been proven to be one of the most effective durable and cost effective Malaria preventive interventions,” said Governor Yahaya.

He said the official flag off campaigns would signal the commencement of the distribution of over 2.3 million nets to the people of State.

Governor Yahaya said the government had approved the use of over 580 health facilities and deployed over 2000 health workers for the successful implementation of the campaigns, with a fulfilled financial obligations to ensure a hitch free campaign.

He appealed to philanthropists and corporate organisations to compliment Government’s efforts in Malaria control, through finance or other supporting interventions like the donation of long lasting insecticide treated nets and sulphur doxine pherimetmine S.P for intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, Chemicals indoor malaria spray and drugs.

The Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanare said Gombe State was one among the first set of states where ITN assessment campaign would be carried in 2021, which would see to the distribution of over 15 million nets in all the states.

The Minister, who was represented by Pharmacist Talatu Yahaya, said the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Elimination Programme had since adopted the use of ITNs and SMC medicines as medication for eligible children as one of the key strategy for the prevention of malaria in the country.