The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr Christopher Maikalangu on Thursday inaugurated the ‘2024 World Malaria Day’ intervention.
At the ceremony at the Kabusa Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Abuja, he affirmed the council’s dedication to combating malaria and ensuring the well-being of residents.
The AMAC boss highlighted the significance of World Malaria Day observe annually on April 25, with this year’s theme being “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”
He emphasised malaria’s deadly impact, particularly on children under five years of age and pregnant women, noting its symptoms and prevalence during the rainy season.
He urged community leaders and residents to maintain a healthy environment by keeping their surroundings clean, clearing bushes, and sleeping under insecticide-treated nets.
Maikalangu stressed the government’s commitment to supporting the programme and collaborating with relevant agencies to protect lives.
He commended the AMAC Primary Health Care Development’s partners for their efforts in the council and communities.
The Supervisory Councillor on Health, AMAC, Mr Tunji Faoye emphasised the council’s commitment to health interventions in the country.
He noted that, AMAC conducts routine malaria treatment programmes monthly, visiting households to administer malaria medicine and distribute treated mosquito nets.
Faoye explained that the initiative was part of a broader effort that includes interventions for polio, disease outbreaks, immunization, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
The supervisory councillor said that there was a significant turnout for malaria intervention, particularly among pregnant women and children, indicating the success of the programme.
Faoye also said that the presence of 64 health facilities across AMAC, further enhanced access to healthcare services.
On her part, Mrs Victoria Frederick, the Officer in-Charge, Kabusa PHC, commended the AMAC Chairman for the gesture, believing that the impact would be greatly felt among pregnant women and children.
“World Malaria Day has great significance to us in Kabusa environment here because this is the first programme of its kind we are witnessing today.
“More sensitisation and awareness are being created here today. Malaria symptoms, treatment, and prevention were taught here also. We believe that at the end of this day, there’s going to be a positive change on especially the pregnant mothers.
“We are happy with the testing that is ongoing and the provision of drugs. Those positives after the test is done will be treated free today.
“And even those that they are negative will be given the preventive measures to take home. So we are so much grateful for this occasion, ” she said.
Some beneficiaries, Chinasa Chibuzor and Esther Ayuba, all commended the gesture and, pleaded for its sustainability.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the occasion was free malaria testing for children and pregnant women and the distribution of treated mosquito nets.(NAN)
