The Adamawa State government in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Service(CRS) and Chemonics with funding support from the Global Fund Malaria Grant have commenced the process of the 2020 insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) mass campaign.
To achieve the desired result a total of 2,888,912 treated nets are to be distributed to residents through a door-to-door approach to every household across the 21 local government areas in Adamawa.
Speaking at a media parley to kick off the campaign held at AUN Hotel Yola, the state commissioner for Health who was represented by the Director Public Health Adamawa State Ministry of Health, Isaac Kadala explained that, ‘’ the objective of the ITN mass campaign is to ensure that for every 2 persons in a household in Adamawa state, one mosquito net is available to sleep inside and be protected from mosquitoes that spread malaria.
‘’Household registration and simultaneous distribution of ITNs will commence from 15th- 18 October.
‘’Households must ensure that someone is available at home within the period to provide information to the mobilization and distribution teams (MDT) and collect the nets,’’ Kadala assured.
He said that the state government and other partners have to change strategies due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, “We have to change the strategies because of COVID- 19, we are going to take the nets into the households, every house in Adamawa State whether is in Koma, Guyuk or in Sugu, the nets will reach there .”
In her separate presentation Nyoko Ogar, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) representative all prevailed on the need for concerted to achieved the desired result of fighting malaria.
‘’The use of it is the most cost-effective for malaria control and when properly used by hanging and sleeping inside every night will contribute remarkably to the overall reduction of malaria prevalence in the country,’’ said Nyoko Ogar.
In her words, Zainab Baba Mai Ali, Senior Manager Vector Control of the Catholic Relief Service(CRS), said all hands including media must be on deck as‘’ messages on how to use and care for the nets would be provided at the households as well as messages on COVID-19 preventive measures.’’
The state flag-off campaign and investiture of net ambassador will be on 14th October 2020, as Household mobilization and net distribution will be on 15th-28th October 2020.
