By Nnedinma Okeke :
The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu has noted that the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) is one of the sustainable strategies for malaria prevention.
Dr. Ezenyimulu said this during an interview session with Malaria Consortium team at the ASPHCDA office complex, Awka.
She noted that the Primary Healthcare Agency participated actively in the pre implementation, main campaign and post implementation activities of the ITNs distribution in the state.
“For the pre implementation activities, we had to do massive social mobilisation. Luckily we have the structures for that, both at the State and Local Government Area (LGA) levels these we used for sensitization of the populace.
“We had to use our Stakeholders which include; the Media, Religious Organizations, Youth/Women groups, Community leaders, Town Announcers and the LGA Social Mobilisation Officers (SMOs).
“They were all involved in sensitizing the populace on the importance of using ITNs to prevent malaria,” the ES explained.
For the campaign proper, the ES noted that a lot of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) were used as hubs for the ITNs distribution while the health workers at the facilities served as Supervisors during the distribution work.
“We did it in such a way that our programmes would not clash because it was not done in isolation and other ad hoc staff members were also engaged in the activity. It was a temporary discomfort for a larger good of the society,” she said.
Dr. Ezenyimulu stressed that the Agency would continue with its message to the populace on the use of the ITNs.
“The taste of the pudding is in the eating. I and my family sleep under the ITNs and we know the advantages. That way you do not need to buy drugs to treat malaria, you stay away from the hospital and reduce school absenteeism.
“These are some of the advantages of ITNs. It leads to prevention of malaria because when a person is down with malaria, that person cannot function effectively both at work and at home.
“It is all about enlightenment, the people will experience these advantages and imbibe use of ITNs into their way of life.”
She urged all to ensure that they hang, sleep inside and take care of the ITNs.
“This will keep the family safe and would kick malaria out of the state and Nigeria as there will no more be mosquito bites if we all are protected with ITNs.”
Dr. Ezenyimulu, then, expressed gratitude to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for his support and the First Lady, Mrs Nonye Soludo who is the Net Ambassador.
“I must also commend the Honourable Commissioner, State Ministry of Health, Dr Afam Obidike for ensuring that the state health team was united to making sure that the ITNs were effectively distributed.
“Malaria Consortium, we thank you for providing the ITNs in conjunction with the National Malaria Elimination Programme. Our hearts are full of gratitude,” she added.
