Malaria: Group commences distribution of insecticide nets to Edo residents

Edo State government in collaboration with the National Malarial Elimination Programme (NMEP) on Monday said it would commence free distribution of 2.6m Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) to residents.

Other partners in the net distribution exercise which is expected to commence between August 12-16 included Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Roll Back Malarial Programme (RBMP).

The group stated this during an orientation for media practitioners as part of activities for the net replacement campaign in Benin City, the state capital.

A representative of National Malarial Elimination Programme (NMEP), Mrs. Hope Obokoh, in her presentation, expressed concern that 97 percent of Nigerians are affected by malaria arising from mosquito bites.

She said the net is designed to maintain utmost biological efficacy against mosquitoes for three years “particularly when they are used under recommendation.

Malaria is under-reported in the media. So, media group is best situated to sustain the campaign of Net use culture,” she said.

The NMEP official advised intending beneficiaries to spread the net under cool weather outside their apartment for 24 hours before usage.

Also, technical advisor to Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Mr. Godson Kingsley, said the last distribution of nets in the state was in 2012, adding that the current campaign was geared towards replacement of the former.

He disclosed that 15,000 personnel would be engaged to assist the group during the distribution process.
The advisor further urged intending beneficiaries to use the nets consistently and correctly.