The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has flagged off free malaria testing, treatment and distribution of malaria drugs to combat the scourge in the state.
Governor Okpebholo was accompanied by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa; Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani Okpebholo; Secretary to Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff, Gani Audu; Permanent Secretaries, health officials, partners of the programme, among others.
Describing malaria as a major health challenge, the governor said his administration was determined to eliminate the disease in the state.
He said “Malaria is a major health challenge but we are determined to eliminate it in Edo State. We are going to eliminate malaria in Edo State just like Algeria, Ivory Coast and Mauritius have done.
“The support from the Islamic Development Bank will help us achieve that in alliance with the commitment of my administration to affordable healthcare services in the state”.
The Governor said over the next two years, his administration aimed to ensure 80 per cent of pregnant women in the state received malaria prevention kits and treatment.
He noted that 95 per cent of people in the state would benefit and also reduce infant death caused by malaria to below 10 per cent.
The Governor said to make this happen, his administration was making malaria testing and treatment free in all government hospitals across the state.
According to him, “We however need everyone’s support. While free testing and treatment are in place, we need to raise awareness which is key, and we will run campaigns to ensure everyone is aware of the services. Anyone caught charging for this free service will be dealt with accordingly.
“We appreciate President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his commitment to better healthcare. We thank the Islamic Development Bank for its funding and support, the Federal Ministry of Health for its guidance. With our combined efforts, we will achieve a malaria-free Edo State,” he said.
Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani Okpebholo, commended the Okpebholo-led administration for taking the laudable step in ensuring the people enjoy good healthcare.
She noted that as easy and simple as malaria appears, it is deadly, even as statistics show that 30 per cent of citizens of the state are exposed to it, adding that the state has taken steps to fight and drastically reduce it.
“We have called on Edo people to embrace the initiative and programme as malaria affects more women and children. This is a good initiative,” she said.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, said the programme is all about free malaria testing and treatment, which is sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank.
According to him, for the next two years, all government hospitals in Edo State would receive patients for malaria and they will be tested and treated free of charge, warning that no health worker should charge for the service.
Director General of Edo State Health Insurance Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, said the commission is in alliance with the programme, ensuring every Edo State citizen is given affordable and free access to malaria medication.
She noted that malaria is a pandemic, and the governor has shown that his administration is ready and taken steps in ensuring that the disease is eliminated from the state.
Shola Akinyele
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