Malaria Prevention: Use your Insecticide Nets Properly, SFH Tells Osun Residents

By Shola Aderinto,

Residents in Osun state has been called upon to make proper use of the long lasting Insecticide Treated Nets ITNs, which will be distributed to households in the state, courtesy Society for Family Health in collaboration with state government and other partners.

This was disclosed at the media orientation program organized by the body on Wednesday, held at the Ministry of Health Conference Hall, Osun government secretariat Abere.

Addressing the pressmen, the Demand Creation Workstream Advisor for Society for Family Health Mr Daniel Gbue, said that protecting or preventing oneself from malaria by using the treated insecticide nets ITNs is cheaper than getting bitten by mosquitoes and getting treatment at hospitals to get well.

He stated that all someone needs to do when they collect the net which will be given to residents of Osun Households free of charge, is to air it in open space under shade, for just 24-hours, after which it should be hanged and slept inside at sleep or bed time.

Announcing the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets ITNs date in Osun state as July 6 to 17, Daniel urged the media to campaign for proper usage of the insecticide nets, adding that Malaria issues needs attention because it's a health threatening sickness if not quickly and properly treated, hence preventing it by using the malaria nets is better.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Osun State Manager, Malaria Elimination Program Dr Olufemi Oroge stated that 3.68million nets will be distributed to households in the state.

He added that the distribution is in collaboration with non governmental organizations and community based organizations to ensure accurate distribution to all household in Osun local governments.

Oroge also announced that the lifespan of the net is between one and at least four years, adding that since inception of the malaria elimination program in Nigeria, over two hundred million long lasting Insecticide Treated Nets ITNs have been distributed.

Also speaking, National Malaria Elimination Program NMEP representative, Chibitutu Margaret informed the media of the organizations' partnership with stakeholders to ensure successful distribution of the treated insecticide nets in Osun state.

Listing the lesson learned and challenges from previous distribution program, she added that all hands are on deck to ensure that the target objective of year 2023 distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets ITNs to prevent malaria will be fulfilled.

Other partners beside Society for Family Health for the Insecticide Treated Nets ITNs Campaign in Osun include: National Malaria Elimination Program, Catholic Relief Services, Federal Ministry of Health among others.