Representative of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, assisted Health Communication Capacity Collaborative, Hc3, programme, Usman Usman, has said N2.9million worth of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets, LLINs, will be distributed in Sokoto state.
Mr Usman disclosed this at a media parley organised by the Sokoto state LLIN 2017 campaign team on Monday in Sokoto.
He pointed out that malaria disease situation in Nigeria has contributed a quarter of the overall malaria burden in Africa by 97 per cent.
“USAID is soliciting the support of the media in the dissemination of this campaign to the people in order to enlighten them on the importance of the use of LLINs.
“This is an opportunity for the media to gain more insight knowledge on the Malaria and nets distribution campaign with emphasis on the ongoing campaign in the state
“The media interactive session will also reorient the players on Malaria prevention and motivate the media to develop interest in the programme before, during and after the distribution,” Mr Usman said.
Also speaking, Director-General of Sokoto State Malaria Elimination Agency, SOSMEDA, Aminu Umar, said the role of the media cannot be over-emphasised because they are the mouthpiece of the society.
Mr Umar said that the campaign period of the LLINs was going to be nine weeks and it would be important as stakeholders to get this information out to the people in the state, especially those in the rural communities.
Team leader, Sokoto State LLIN campaign process, Godwin Aidenagbon, said the government has provided an enabling environment for partnership on the elimination of malaria in the state.
Mr Aidenagbon advised that in order to prevent the re-occurrence of malaria, the the long lasting Insecticidal nets should be put into proper use.
The team leader said that the use of the LLIN has been a great challenge in the country due to lack of information and enlightenment.
He, therefore, urge the media, as a major stakeholder to do the needful and support the government in its roll back Malaria programme in the state.
NAN
