Today is World Malaria Day.
The day is marked annually on 25 April instituted by World Health Organization WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.
It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.
This year’s celebration is themed “Partnership to End Malaria and other partners promoting “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, a grassroots campaign to re-energize efforts at all levels, from global policy to community action, to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination.
To commemorate the day, Rotary District 9126 today organized campaign against malaria tagged Rotarians Against Malaria Action Group held Okelele Primary Healthcare Centre, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State
Speaking at the Advocacy campaign against Malaria, Ambassador of Rotary Against Malaria Action Group, Rotarian Yetunde Fatoyinbo noted that her team was at health facility to advocate against malaria for pregnant women and women that have children under 5 yrs old.
Rotarian Fatoyinbo who is the Zone 3 Coordinator pointed out that the essence of the international celebration is to educate them on how to prevent malaria and support them with little commodities including insecticide treated nets, pads worth millions of naira
She therefore charged the beneficiaries to practice what learnt to prevent malaria illness and reduce infant mortality rate in the society.
Also, member of Rotarian Against Malaria Action Group, Rotarian Omolola Kuburat Dare reaffirmed the determination of Rotary towards supporting the economy and prevent diseases
According to her, Malaria is one of the critical ailments in the society and expressed concern that overwhelming majority of Nigerians did not see it as a menace that should be tackled.
The President of Presidents, Kwara State maintained that Rotary is providing succour to the to pregnant women being the weakest of all particularly when immune system is at risk
In her reaction, District 9126 Ambassador, Rotarians Against Malaria-Global Action Group, Dr Khadijat Toyin Musa was excited and grateful to all the partners who have made today’s projects worth millions of Naira happen.
Dr Toyin Musa who the District 9126 Chairperson on Maternal and Child Health Projects also thanked all Zonal and club Ambassadors across District 9126 for their commitment and resilience and appreciated District Governor, Rotarian Kayode Olowolagba Esq, for his support
She expressed optimism that with all efforts put together and positive change in environmental impact, the world would be free of malaria.
Highlights of the event were Advocacy and Health Education, Malaria prevention during pregnancy, protecting children from birth to age 5 and Reducing newborn mortality rates.
The Malaria Sensitization also featured Free Distribution of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine (SP) for pregnant women.
