The Rivers State government in its bid to reduce the spread of malaria in the state has consistently provided treated mosquito nets. The State Commissioner for Health, Sampson Parker said this at the 2014 Long Lasting Insecticidal Net replacement campaign held in Port Harcourt.

Director of Public Health in the state, Dr Nnanna Onyekwere, who represented the Commissioner, said the aim of the campaign was to ensure continued coverage of the roll back malaria programme. The Commissioner also said the campaign was being done in line with recommendations and standard of the World Health Organisation, WHO and other international agencies, adding that over three million nets will be given out this year. “Our investigation shows that 71% of the households in Rivers state use the long lasting insecticidal nets.

“The replacement campaign is currently being implemented to ensure higher coverage and long lasting treated net is achieved. “This is planned in alignment with the World Health Organisation, WHO. It is recommended that a mass distribution takes place every three years to replace nets that have become ineffective for malaria prevention.” He urged beneficiaries to use effectively the Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets which was given to them.

The high point of the programme was the pronouncement of the Wife of the state Governor, Judith Amaechi as a national net Ambassador for her contributions to the fight against malaria in Rivers State.

Source: Daily Post