By Mary Bassey
Listen To The Report
The wife of the Governor of Cross River State Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade has joined the rest of the world to mark the 2022 World Malaria Day, saying there is a need to test and prevent it.
Mrs. Ayade was represented by the Director-General of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong in the event which was organized by the State Ministry of Health and Calabar South Local Government Council.
The exercise kicked off with a road walk from the millennium park and terminated at Watt market roundabout to celebrate the day, Dr. Linda said it is an opportunity to focus attention on the issues causing malaria in the rural and urban areas.
“Today is an opportunity to focus our attention on the issues that are causing malaria, as we speak right now, some child somewhere is dying because of malaria and it calls for attention. As much as we have pandemics or other diseases that are common in our environment, we shouldn’t neglect the fact that malaria is even killing faster than those diseases.
“So, today is one of those days where we focus our attention on the ravaging effect of malaria in our society. The good thing is that what we are doing here is also being carried out by various Local Governments.
“So, in all of our health interventions as much as we might be focusing on other health issues we never neglect malaria, and that’s because we have these very vulnerable groups that we always care for. So, malaria is always one of those diseases we wanted to discuss.
“As it is right now in our various communities, either the health workers are there counseling the pregnant woman of malaria or management of malaria,” she advocated.
Also stressing one need for proper testing and preventive measures, the Chairman of Calabar South Local Government, Mrs. Esther Bassey enjoined residents of Calabar South to join the campaign.
According to her, ”That is why it was brought to the grassroots to tell them that the treated mosquito nets that are being given to them should be used. When they are sick they should go for treatment, go for a test, you can see them from the medicine I have given and some medication is over four hundred packs for pregnant women and children,” she said.
She emphasized that health is wealth and needs to be taken seriously especially when malaria is involved.
High points of the exercise include free malaria check-ups, free tablets distribution, and culture dance among others.
World Malaria Day is an international observance commemorated every year on 25 April and recognizes global efforts to control malaria.
See pictures:
Leave feedback about this