The Commissioner for Health, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Vincent Umoh has expressed dismay over the high level of abuse of Insecticide Treated Nets recently distributed to residents of the state.
Speaking in an interview to commemorate World Malaria Day with the theme, “to deliver zero malaria, invest, innovate and implement,” the Commissioner warned those who engage in such acts to desist forthwith.
The Commissioner said the state government would continue to advocate the proper use of mosquito nets to prevent malaria, emphasising the need for testing before treatment of all malaria cases even as he disclosed that the tests are free.
Umoh, however, announced the reduction of malaria prevalence in the state from 23.3 percent to 22 percent, expressing hope of further reduction.
He called for collaboration with private sector operators as well as philanthropists in helping to procure free medication for the treatment of the disease while urging pregnant women to use Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) drugs for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria during pregnancy and also adopt the various preventive measures which the state government has implemented including keeping the environment clean.
“Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease yet continues to have a devastating impact on the health and livelihood of people around the world.
“It is regrettable the way people abuse the Insecticide Treated Nets that were distributed to protect them against malaria. Let us help ourselves by making proper use of the nets that were distributed to us” He noted
