PHOTO: Road Walk led by Kogi Commissioner of Health, Dr Zakari Usman to Mark World Maleria Day celebration in Lokoja
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi state government has taken delivery of over N1billion five trailer loads of commodities for maleria prevention in the state.
Kogi Commissioner of Health, Dr. Zakari Usman disclosed this in a speech to mark the year 2023 World Maleria Day celebration in Lokoja, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The commissioner said that commodities which were received just last week from “Maleria Consortium” its partner in the control of maleria, is aimed at reducing the endemic disease to its barest minimum in Kogi.
“This is the 16th year celebration of the” World Maleria Day” with the Theme” Delivering Zero Maleria, Invest, Innovate and Implement”
Dr. Usman noted that Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration Chief Policy for the realisation of Maleria Free State was putting in place “Bello’s Medicalcare Initiative which provides opportunity for citizens to go to hospitals to access free treatment and preventive measures.
“According to the commissioner, the present administration in the state had done its best in the recruitment of Medical Doctors, Nurses and other categories of health personnels as well as procurement of drugs to tackle the health needs of the people
“Iam happy to inform you that in Kogi state Maleria endemic has drastically dropped to 16% and we are aiming at having zero percent by God’s grace
“Having zero percent I strongly believe is achievable as we will not relent in our investment, innovation and implementation in the control of the Maleria disease in Kogi
“In 2020 over 241 clinical cases on Maleria endemic and two thousand and twenty seven deaths were recorded from Sub-sahara Africa which is caused by female Anopheles mosquitoes
“Maleria prevention I believe is everybody’s business hence the need for both the public and private organisations as well as individuals to complement government’s efforts in this task”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director Public Health with the Kogi state Ministry of Health, Dr. Francis Akpa had described Maleria as Killer disease if not treated immediately.
“My appeal to citizens especially the most vulnerable children and pregnant women in Sub-sahara Africa where maleria cases is common is that they should play their part to ensure Maleria Free Society”
End.