Malaria: Osun Government To Partner FG, Relevant Agencies

The Osun State Government has inaugurated members of the Campaign Coordinating Network (ICCN) for the 2023 Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) mass campaign to eliminate malaria in the state.

At the inauguration, the state governor was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Kayode Adegoke.

The Permanent Secretary, who also spoke through the Director Of Public Health, Dr Akeem Bello stressed the need to inaugurate some of the team members that would play an active role in the net distribution campaign taking place from May 14 to June 2023.

Dr Bello also disclosed that more than 3 million treated nets are going to be distributed to all the Local Government areas and wards of the State.

He further hinted that at least each household would get the treated net in order to insulate them from malaria attacks.

He, therefore, urged Osun residents to take advantage of the free distribution of the nets when the time comes.

Speaking earlier, the Campaign Manager for Osun 2023 lTN distribution, who also works for the Society for Family Health, Dr John Ocholi stated that the team was in Osun State to inaugurate the INT campaign coordinating network for the year 2023 distribution of free mosquito nets.

"The Government of Osun State is working with the Federal Government of Nigeria, with support from other partners, to adequately plan on how to distribute about 3.6 million nets, free of charge, to all households in the state, adding that this is to replace the nets distributed 3/4 years ago in the State."

Dr Ocholi also indicated that the State Government has partnered with the Society for Family Health, Catholic Relief Service, Federal Ministry of Health, CHEMONICS and the rest to ensure that every house in the State gets at least one net.

Ocholi itemized the ICCN members as inclusive of every member of the Civil Societies that took part in the campaign like the traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agents as well as the related ministries of the government, police, civil defence as well as road safety corps.

He then advised the people of Osun to collect the nets and spread them in a shade for 24 hours before using them, pleading with the children and pregnant women to always sleep under the treated net, especially at night.