The Biodun Oyebanji-led government in Ekiti State has reiterated its commitment to the complete elimination of Malaria in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services , Dr Oyebanji Filani stated this at the Annual Malaria Operation Plans meeting in Ado Ekiti.
Dr Filani disclosed that Malaria accounts for more than half of all cases brought to hospitals in Nigeria every day
The Commissioner noted that the state has been engaging various means to reduce or eliminate Malaria in the state stressing that Ekiti State Ulerawa Health intervention Programme has been providing free Malaria treatment for children under age five and adults in all accredited primary health centres across the state.
He assured of the Ekiti State Government’s commitment to continuously providing quality and accessible healthcare services to all residents of the state.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and Human Services Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun urged the participants to carefully assess the implementation of the current annual work plan and use the findings as basis for development of a new one.
Mrs Gbenga-Igotun charged all relevant stakeholders to help protect Ekiti residents from malaria related challenges especially pregnant women and children who she noted are more at risk .
In her presentation, a facilitator from the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr Ene Samdave noted that the vision of the Programme was to ensure a Malaria free Nigeria.
Dr Samdave noted that the goal was to achieve a parasite prevalence of less than 10% and reduce mortality attributable to Malaria drastically by 2025.
She commended the Ekiti State government for taking proactive measures towards combating malaria in the state.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
