Adamawa State government distributes over 2.8m free insecticide

By Muhammad Babangida Muhammad

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has flagged off the distribution of over two point eight million free insecticide treated nets with a call on citizens to ensure they make proper use of the nets.

Speaking during the event at the banquet hall government house, Governor Umaru Fintiri restated his commitment to support the fight against malaria.

He noted that malaria overburdens the already weakened Health System and exerts a severe social and economic burden on the nation, retarding the gross domestic product GDP by forty percent annually and costing approximately four hundred and eighty Billion naira in out-of-pocket expenditures, and loss of man hours.

Governor Umaru Fintiri said as one of the national strategies to reduce the burden of Malaria in the State, the State government in partnership with donor agencies have intensified efforts to increase access to Insecticide Treated Nets which are durable and cost effective.

The Governor called on Traditional and Religious Leaders across the State to do their best to support this administration’s crusade in the fight against Malaria, COVID-nineteen Pandemic and Public Health Challenges.

In her remark, the wife of the Governor, Hajiya Lami Ahmadu Fintiri who is the Adamawa State Net Ambassador pledged to work across nooks and crannies of the state for the couse advising the populace to use the nets for the purpose intended and desist from using it to demarcate their farms.

Minister of health Doctor Osagie Ehanire represented by the National Coordinator National Malaria Elimination Programme Doctor Audu Bala Mohammed said the federal government has adopted the use of Insecticide Treated Nets as one of the key strategies for the prevention and elimination of malaria in the country.

Contributing, the Country representative Catholic Relief Service, Paul Townsend represented by the State Solomon Ndate noted that malaria remains a key health challenge hence their consistency in supporting in the fight which has contributed to reducing the prevalence of malaria.

He commended Governor Umaru Fintiri for his enormous support, hoping that the relationship will be maintained till all communities turn out better.

Commissioner of health and human services Professor Abdullahi Isa said malaria is a Significant public health problem across the African globe as it accounts for ninety percent cases though with support of development partners the scourge has reduced by forty four percent in twenty eighteen in Nigeria.

While commending the contribution of development partners like the catholic relief service to drastically reduce the disease, Professor Isa urged people to make judicious use of the nets.

A highlight of the event was the demonstration of how to use and care for the insecticide treated net and the investiture of the wife of the Governor Hajiya Lami Ahmadu Fintiri as Adamawa State Net Ambassador.