Jigawa Flags off Distribution Of 3.2 Million Free Insecticide Mosquito Nets

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

As part of its of efforts to combat the spread of malaria, the Jigawa state government is set to distribute a total of 3.2 million free mosquito treated nets to households in the state.

The exercise, which will be carried out in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, (NMEP) with the funding support from the Global Fund Malaria Project, (GFMP), which is expected to be formally flagged off from 24-28 July, targets mosttly rural areas, where people are more at risk for malaria and likely to die due to malaria.

Speaking during a media parley on Malaria Consortium Vigorous Campaign on Malaria Prevention and Control to 26 LGA’s in 288 polling wards in the state, Dr.Rilwan M. Anka, the the Malaria Consortium Campaign Director, said it was expected that over 6.8m doses of Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine Amodiaquine, (SPAQ) would also be distributed to children aged 3-59 months as prevention against malaria attack on children.

According to him, the distribution of ITN will be a double phase approach ( Mobilization in the household, then onward distribution at designated distribution points) while SPAQ administration will be a household door- to- door approach.

In his remarks Malam Bilya Haruna, the Malaria Programme Manager, says every eligible child aged 3 – 59 months is expected to receive SPAQ if the ward or LGA is not tergetted to receive ITN’s during the mass campaign. ITN is effective in reducing malaria transmission, as well it will be widely used as a cost effective measure.

He called on beneficiaries to make proper use of the integrated mosquito nets. Also caution them to aired the nets under a shade for 24 hrs before hanging and sleeping inside. Bring down the old nets and hang the new ones.

The Campaign is led by the Jigawa State Ministry of Health through the State Malaria Elimination Programme with the National Malaria Elimination Programme and  Malaria Consortium serving as the implementing partner.

Accordingly, the distribution of ITN according to the organizers will be a double phased approach.