In a concerted effort to reduce Malaria scourge in Oyo State, the State Ministry of Health has held a Community Outreach and Awareness Programme On Prevention of the Disease.
The Event was held at the Olorunda-Aba Primary Health Centre, Olorunda-Aba, Lagelu Local Government Area of the State as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day.
At the programme, government officials from the Ministry of Health, Development Partners, Public health Experts, Expectant and Nursing Mothers and Community Leaders gathered to assess what is working and what needs improvement in the fight against Malaria.
State Commissioner for Heath, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi who reeled out what the Government has done to prevent malaria scourge across the State, said Malaria is a disease that cannot be taken for granted, hence, the Government is ensuring that testing and treatment are accessed by the people for free.
Dr. Ajetunmobi who maintained that, there is the need for increased support for the fight against Malaria in the State, encouraging people to ensure clean environment while early and prompt treatment of malaria cases should not be ignored.
In a remark, a Community Leader, Alhaji Abdulfatai Oloyede who commended the Governments for raising awareness on the need to prevent malaria, appealed for provision of adequate malaria drugs in all the public health facilities across the state.
Some beneficiaries of free insecticide treated nets distributed to mark the day, expressed joy for being informed on ways to prevent malaria.
Speaking, the Oyo State Malaria Programme Manager, Mrs Foluke Adeyemo urged people to visit Health Centers for testing and diagnosis whenever they have symptoms of fever, rather than self medication.
Mrs Adeyemo lauded the Government and the Ministry of Health for putting all measures in place to drastically reduce the spread of Malaria across the State, including employment of personnel and renovation of health facilities.
Present at the Occasion were the representatives of the World Health Organisation, WHO, Malaria Consortium, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, Community and Traditional Leaders.
The Theme for This Year’s World Malaria Day is: Driven To End Malaria “Now We Can, Now We Must”
