By NO fewer than 500 persons in Warri and environs, on Wednesday 15th May 2024, benefited from the free Malaria treatment put together by Gilbert Hill Resources Ltd, supported by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Delta State Ministry of Health.
The aim of the organizers was to champione the campaign against Malaria in Warri and its environs.
To create awareness on the killer disease, health practitioners undertook a road walk round major routes in Warri distributing flyers and sensitizing the public on Malaria and the ways to prevent it in the society.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojame, said that the campaign was to create awareness among residents on the deadly disease called Malaria and how to prevent it.
The State Commissioner for Health said what Gilbert Hill Resources Limited, the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC and the Delta State Ministry of Health were doing was to commemorate the World Malaria Day which is observed every April 25 with this year’s theme: “Accelerating the fight against Malaria for a more equitable world.”
Dr Onojame, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Health, Asaba, Dr Julie Amah, cautioned against the habit of self medication in treatment of Malaria but recommended that people should go for test and treatment from approved healthcare centers.
“World Malaria Day was celebrated on April 25th in Asaba and other parts of the state but NDDC thought it wise to also champion the campaign against Malaria in Warri today with the procession around town, talk on malaria, free malaria treatment and distribution of free mosquitoes insecticide treated net ” the commissioner said
“The Delta State Government has done a lot in the crusade against Malaria in the state but more is still needed to be done,” he added
“Please avoid self medication and always go for test and treatment in approved hospitals and healthcare centers,” he advised.
The State Health Promotion, Education and Social Mobilization coordinator, Ministry of Health, Asaba, Dr Emmanuel Odejerho, said some of the symptoms included high fever, headache, sweating, diarrhoea, fatigue, muscle and back pain, nausea and vomiting.
He advised that members of the public should endeavor to clean up their surroundings, avoid stagnant water which breed mosquitoes, the use of mosquitoes insecticide treated net, and fumigation of their environment, among others.
On her part, the Assistant Director Education, Health and Social Services Department Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Delta State Office, Mrs Irene Emavwodia noted that NDDC as an interventionist agency is poised at ensuring that residents in the Niger Delta Region are healthy.
Speaking in a similar vein, the Executive Secretary Warri South Local Government Health Authority, Dr Tosan Sagay, said that statistics has shown that Malaria, which is a major public health concern, was the major cause of deaths among pregnant women, infants – from birth to five years – the youth and the elderly.
Some members of the public, who benefited from the free treatment, thanked the organizers for the free medicals and the enlightenment on Malaria.
Drugs were later dispensed to those who underwent the free tests followed by question and answer session.
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