As Ondo State joined the whole world to mark this year world malaria day, a non-governmental organisation, the Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood, (ROTDOW)has presented vitamins supplements, long treated insecticide net for nursing mothers and pregnant women in Ayedun area of Akure South local government.

The programme which was held at Ayedun basic health centre with the theme ” Ready to beat malaria ” also featured net hanging, lecture, and quiz competition for the women while the three winners went home with gifts.

Addressing the women, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of ROTDOW, Mrs Olabisi Omolona explained that the NGO is highlighting strategic intervention plan for pregnant women and children laid down by World Health Organisation, (WHO)in its readiness to combat malaria.

According to her, the WHO’ s plan include the use of long lasting insecticide treated net, the use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT), and case management of malaria illness.

She therefore advocated the use of the net for pregnant women and children under five years, clearing of surrounding bushes and stagnant water, and antenatal care as great tools in preventing the malaria scourge.

Omolona noted that the organisation has been sensitising and mobilising on malaria prevention control and treatment since 2011 and has covered 800 communities through advocacy, community drama, diagnostic test outreach among others.

Her words :” This year we stand with the whole world to fight the malaria scourge with the theme ” Ready to beat malaria”; the theme highlights the importance of collective responsibility and commitment of the global malaria community in bringing together people in working towards a world free of malaria.

” The world malaria day is aimed at taking an immediate and urgent action in malaria control because the achievements in the fight against malaria are under threat unless urgent actions are taken to fight malaria “.

The guest lecturer, Dr. (Mrs) Fausat Aragbaye, a retired Director of the state Hospital Management Board, emphasized the need for all to fight malaria to the minimal, noting that the scourge is one of the major causes of miscarriage in early pregnancy.

According to her, if malaria is not treated urgently, it can lead to kidney failure, low birth rate and eventually death.

Aragbaye therefore enjoined pregnant women and nursing mothers to visit hospital as soon as they see symptoms of malaria and to also use the drugs according to prescription for effectiveness.

Also speaking, the state coordinator of Civil Society of Malaria Control and Nutrition, ACOMIN, noted that over 40 NGOs started the malaria advocacy programme about eight years ago, but only six can sustain it, including ROTDOW.

He commended the organiser for the gesture and appealed to Nigerians to live a healthy lifestyle, and expressed optimism that Nigeria can fight malaria to the lowest level like other countries if we change our attitude to our environment.

The malaria focal person of Akure South Local government, Mrs Alao also commended ROTDOW for the gesture, noting that the organisation cannot do without observing world malaria day.
She therefore urged pregnant women to ensure they administer IPT at least thrice during the process of conception to prevent the scourge.