By Gbenga Akingbule
The Borno State Government and Malaria
Consortium on Monday stepped up their public awareness campaign on the safe and effective use of more than five million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), ahead of the house-to-house distribution scheduled to commence on Friday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the State Government, in collaboration with Malaria Consortium, launched the campaign last week to reduce the prevalence of malaria across the state, targeting more than 1.6 million households where ITNs presented to some residents present at the occasion.
At a media roundtable with officials of the Borno State Government and Malaria Consortium held in Maiduguri the state capital, stakeholders stressed the importance of the proper use, care and maintenance of ITNs to ensure maximum protection against malaria.
The Director of Public Health in the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr Goni Ali, said the state government is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to fight malaria, including promoting the safe and effective use of ITNs across the state
Dr Ali urged residents to receive the health workers warmly when they visit their homes and carefully follow the instructions and guidance provided on the proper handling and effective use of the ITNs
” Some of our people do not understand the importance of ITNs. We will intensify sensitisation to ensure that every household understands how to properly use the nets and to protect themselves and their families from malaria.” Dr Ali said .
Dr. John Dada, an official of Malaria Consortium and Social ,Behaviour Change and Communication (SBCC) for the ITN programme, said the media would be engaged at every major stage of the distribution exercise to help enlighten, educate and sensitise the public on the importance of the ITNs and their proper and effective use.
” At each stage of the ITNs campaign, we will be engaging the media .There are three stages of the campaign- pre distribution, during distribution and after distribution. incase there are issues to be addressed. ”
SBC Focal person for ITN project Emmanuel Bagudu who disclosed that the ITNs distribution would last for 8-days said residents must ensure they dry the nets under shade for 24 hours before use .
According to Bagudu ” Air the ITN under shade for one day before use , hang the net over your sleeping material which could be a mat , mattress or bed , do not use meta as cover clothes, or as a wrapper/blanket.
” When net is dirty, wash with mild soap and dry under shade, wash not more that 4 – 5 times in a year and ITNs kill mosquitoes l for up to three years if used properly.”
