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| Dr. Linda Ayade demonstrating the use of mosquito treated nets |
Anokwuru Uche Alexis|26 April 2018
The wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade, today led the State health team on a World Malaria Day celebration to Ikot Offiong Ambai community in Akpabuyo LGA of the State.
Speaking during the celebration, Her Excellency said the State is ready to fight malaria following the various campaigns that have been carried out across the State with her pet project, the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) and the State health sector.
“I’m happy to be here today to tell the world that Cross River State is ready to beat malaria. Malaria is an enemy we can conquer, that’s why we are all gathered here today.
“Malaria is responsible for 11% of maternal mortality rate in Nigeria, which is why we are very aggressive in our fight against this enemy. There are over 445,000 malaria deaths yearly and Nigeria accounts for 207,000 cases” she stated.
She further stated the importance of testing before treating any form of ailment, adding that one can reduce the incidence by following the proper prevention and treatment mechanisms. She promised to establish more Malaria clubs in schools to further expand the sensitization of children in schools.
The Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, opined that the State is talking elimination rather than control through the State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP) while the Director General of the State Primary Health Care development Agency (SPHCDA), Dr. Betta Edu educated members of the community on testing before treating any ill health.
The event also featured a free medical outreach which included testing and treating of malaria and HIV tests as well as distribution of long lasting insecticidal nets to members of the community especially to school aged children.
Highpoint of the event was the demonstration of net hanging in a household by the wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade.
Since 2015, the State government has distributed 2.5m LLINs, tested 1.5m people and treated over 750,000 positive cases across the 196 wards where its 4m populace reside, as they work towards improving on the 2016 statistics of 0.09% to 1% of malaria prevalence reduction.
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