Bauchi State partners with PMI-US to distribute 4.4 million free nets to combat malaria
Story from Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the United States Government’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI-US) and the Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), has finalized plans to distribute 4.4 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) to residents of the state this year.
The Chairman of BACATMA, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, made this announcement during a media briefing on the ITNs Distribution Campaign in the state.
The distribution of the free nets is scheduled to take place from June 21 to June 27, 2023.
Dambam emphasized that the distribution campaign aims to alleviate the burden of malaria in the state by ensuring that every household in Bauchi State receives an Insecticide Treated Net (ITN).
He stated, “Before distributing these nets, household registration must be conducted. This process, known as household mobilization, involves personnel wearing uniforms with the malaria logo who will visit households between May 27 and June 4, 2023, to register and issue net cards, which will entitle each household to receive a free net.”
“The distribution of the free nets will take place from June 21 to June 27, 2023. A representative from each household is expected to go to the designated distribution point indicated on their net cards to collect the free nets. Once collected, the new nets should be aired in the shade for 24 hours before hanging. After hanging, beneficiaries should sleep under the nets with them securely tucked over the sleeping area every night throughout the year.”
Dambam appealed for more support from partners, particularly the media, to ensure the success of the ITNs Distribution Campaign in the state for the benefit of residents.
He acknowledged that while the distribution exercise is not new in the state, this year’s campaign will be the largest ever, with 4.4 million nets being distributed to an estimated eight people per household in the state.
“The upcoming ITNs Distribution Campaign will be technology-driven. While we recognize the advantages of technology, we are also aware of its disadvantages, so we need to educate and remind the people about the need to build upon past successes,” he added.
BACATMA Chairman welcomed media practitioners and international partners to the media briefing, acknowledging the significant role the media has played in the successes achieved by the agency thus far.
He expressed gratitude to the media, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other partners and urged them to continue supporting the state government through the agency in addressing the burden of malaria.
Other stakeholders and experts who spoke during the briefing highlighted that malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Nigeria accounts for over 66 million malaria cases annually (World Malaria Report 2022), with an estimated 30% of child and 11% of maternal deaths each year attributed to malaria.
According to the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS 2021), malaria prevalence in Nigeria has reduced from 27% in 2015 (MIS 2015) to 22% in 2021 (NMIS 2021).
Currently, the prevalence of malaria in Bauchi State stands at 32% (NMIS 2021). Malaria remains the leading cause of absenteeism in schools, offices, farms, markets, etc., resulting in decreased productivity.
It imposes a significant social and economic burden on communities and the country as billions of Naira are lost annually in the form of treatment costs, prevention efforts, and loss of working hours.
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