Approximately 2.9 million insecticide-treated nets will be distributed to citizens of Plateau State to combat malaria, particularly among pregnant women and children under the age of five.
This initiative is made possible through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with the Global Health Supply Chain, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, and Society for Family Health serving as implementing partners.
Ahead of the distribution of the nets, representatives from the implementing partners visited the Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication as well as the Plateau Environment Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA). They emphasized the importance of robust collaboration to ensure effective awareness and proper disposal of waste generated during the exercise.
Dr. Adeoye Olushola of Breakthrough Action Nigeria called for assistance from the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms, to create awareness and sensitization campaigns to encourage people to utilize the nets.
Godson Kingsley, the Team Lead of the Distribution Campaign Team, highlighted the environmental impact of waste generated from previous net distributions and proposed a recycling initiative to manage the waste generated during this distribution. He urged collaboration with PEPSA to implement this recycling activity effectively.
The Programme Manager of the Plateau State Malaria Elimination Programme, Kizito Ndak, announced that the distribution exercise would be flagged off by the State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on April 12, 2024. He expressed gratitude for the donation of over 2.9 million insecticide-treated nets, emphasizing their significance in malaria control efforts.
In response, Ashoms assured the implementing partners of the Ministry’s and the State government’s commitment to ensuring the success of the distribution exercise. PEPSA DG, Samuel Dapiya, reiterated the agency’s mandate to manage and recycle waste effectively, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving this goal.
Dapiya also highlighted PEPSA’s efforts to create a hygienic environment to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, envisioning a future where mosquito nets may no longer be necessary due to improved environmental conditions.
Overall, the initiative underscores a concerted effort to combat malaria and promote environmental sustainability in Plateau State.
