Admin|11 April 2016|5:30pm
The Director General CRS Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Mrs. Betta Edu yesterday in a planning meeting for 2016 World Malaria Day (WMD) commemoration in Cross River State charged stakeholders to take the issue of Malaria disease seriously by using all measures available to eliminate malaria.
The DG assured all stakeholders of a smooth Malaria Week. According to her, "the slogan for 2016 Malaria Week is 'End Malaria for Good' which is inline with the state government's target under the leadership of dynamic Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade". She listed the proactive measures already taken by the state to eliminate malaria.
These measures include:
*distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets to every house hold in CRS,
*community sensitization and intense advocacy at the grassroots to ensure everyone sleeps under LLINs,
*provision of Malaria commodities at all facilities in the state with no stock outs(RDTs & Antimalarial drugs)
*strong political will/commitment shown by religiously paying counterpart funding to sustain the Malaria programme in the state.
She noted other giant steps being taken by the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade through her pet project, Hunt Malaria Initiative which have been creating young Malaria ambassadors and passing on the elimination messages in public schools to educate students on ways to prevent Malaria in their immediate environment.
She also donates insecticide treated nets and malaria information booklets to students in the state while encouraging environmental hygine, indoor and outdoor residual spraying as viable measures.
Earlier speaking on, the Program Manager of Roll Back Malaria in the state, Dr. Iwara Iwara highlighted some activities which will hold during the Malaria Week. They include talks, road shows, sensitization, community mobilization and free health outreaches/ malaria treatment at all Health facilities and in all communities at LGA. Good morning Cross River TV program, Village Square program and Paradise City Sunrise, all targeted at raising awareness on how to prevent Malaria in communities.
He further stated that the event will be rounded up with Malaria Walk on the 25th of April 2016 from Eleven Eleven Round About to Zoo Garden where the main event and lecture will hold with some side attractions. He intimated all stakeholders of the free health outreach at Calabar South and Calabar Municipality Local Government Areas with focus on Malaria.
Charles Ekanem
Media & Publicity Aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
