In a bid to end malaria, the Rivers State Ministry of Health in partnership with Nigerian Redcross Society, has carried out free malaria testing and treatment outreaches in Elechi, Prison and RexLawson water fronts in Portharcourt.
Speaking to journalist during the programme, the Chairman Redcross Society, Yibo Kalio, said that the ministry of health in collaboration with her Roll Back Malaria partner’s teamed up to fight the scourge, through free testing, sensitization and distribution of mosquito nets.
Mr. Yibo who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Harry Tamunosaki, said the outreaches have been a huge success, adding that residents turned out in good numbers to participate in the testing.
“During our stakeholder meeting, it was agreed that shanty areas should be given a face lift to know their state of health and sanitation and to also know if they are prone to malaria and get them treated”
He further advised the residents to constantly sleep under the mosquito treated net to avoid more malaria attack.
“It’s not just the Ministry of Health or the Redcross. People living in the shanties are also stakeholders in the fight for malaria. We have sensitized them on the importance of sleeping under the mosquito net, even if, they won’t take the drugs, they should ensure they sleep under the treated mosquito net distributed to them”
Some beneficiaries who spoke to our reporter thanked Rivers State Ministry of Health for the malaria outreach.
“We really appreciate the Rivers state government for the free testing and treatment given to us. They gave us treated mosquito nets. Most of us wouldn’t have afforded the hospital bills to treat malaria, so we really thank ministry of health and redcross society for this opportunity”
