N3bn worth of insecticide treated nets to be distributed in Ogun

THE Global Health Fund for Malaria and Tuberculosis in conjunction with the Catholic Relief Services and the National Malaria Elimination Programme are set to distribute over three million Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets, worth N3bn in Ogun State.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, disclosed this when he led a team on advocacy visit to the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun at his office in Abeokuta at the weekend.

The minister, who was represented by the Director, Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, said the programme would hold between March and April this year. He therefore urged the State government to support the project by providing trained personnel, provision of storage facilities in all local government areas of the State and ensure security for the programme.

The Minister also called for increased budgetary allocations for malaria control programmes and support funds for the purchase and distribution of malaria medicines, saying, these would go a long way at reducing the scourge in the State. Responding, Governor Amosun said the State would assist in carrying out the programme by engaging in massive mobilisation and campaigns towards its success adding that traditional rulers, community leaders and relevant government agencies would be involved, as it was in the interest of the State government to support the initiative.