Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Monday inaugurated the distribution of more than two million insecticide-treated mosquito nets in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration in Lafia, the governor said the exercise marked the beginning of mass distribution of mosquito nets to the 147 electoral wards in the state.
Sule said government was committed to reducing morbidity and mortality rate among children and women, the most vulnerable to mosquito bites.
He explained that investment in fighting malarial over the years had yielded result as the malaria burden in the state has reduced.
“The use of insecticide-treated nets in the state has increased from 11 per cent in 2013 to 55 per cent today.
“As a state, we are committed to increasing the usage of the nets to 80 per cent before 2023 and eventual total elimination of malaria,’’ Sule said.
The governor added that the 13 local government areas of the state had been divided into 866 distribution centres where people would collect the nets.
Sule commended the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), the United States President’s Malaria Initiative (U.S.-PMI) and other partners for their support in the fight against malaria.
Earlier, Ahmed Yahaya, Commissioner for Health, said provision of quality and affordable healthcare services was one of the topmost priorities of the state government.
He explained that the state government was determined to partner with any organisation to ensure better healthcare delivery in line with global best practices.
He added that the government had already trained personnel at the local government areas as well as at the state level, preparatory to mass distribution of the nets.
The commissioner urged the prospective beneficiaries of the nets to spread and air them for 24 hours before usage. (NAN)
