Mr Viral
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday, flagged off free malaria testing, treatment and distribution of malaria drugs to combat the scourge in the state.
Okpebholo was accompanied by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa; Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani Okpebholo and Secretary to Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff, Gani Audu; Permanent Secretaries, health officials and partners of the programme among others.
The governor described malaria as a major health challenge and said his administration is determined to eliminate the disease in the state.
He said, “Malaria is a major health challenge but we are determined to eliminate it in Edo State. We are going to eliminate Malaria in Edo State just like Algeria, Ivory Coast and Mauritius have done.
“The support from the Islamic Development Bank will help us achieve that in alliance with the commitment of my administration to affordable healthcare services in the state,” he said.
The governor said over the next two years, his administration aims to ensure 80 per cent of pregnant women in the state receive malaria prevention kits and treatment.
He noted that 95 per cent of people in the state would benefit and also reduce infant death caused by Malaria to below 10 per cent.
He said to make this happen his administration is making malaria testing and treatment free in all government hospitals across the State.
“We however need everyone’s support. While free testing and treatment are in place, we need to raise awareness which is key and we will run campaigns to ensure everyone is aware of the services. Anyone caught charging for this free service will be dealt with accordingly.
“We appreciate President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his commitment to better healthcare. We thank the Islamic Development Bank for its funding and support and the Federal Ministry of Health for its guidance. With our combined efforts we will achieve a malaria-free Edo State,” he said.
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani-Okpebholo, commended the Okpebholo-led administration for taking the laudable step in ensuring the people enjoy good healthcare.
Anani-Okpebholo noted that as easy and simple as malaria appears, it is deadly, even as statistics show that 30 per cent of citizens of the state are exposed to it, adding that the State has taken steps to fight and drastically reduce it.
She added, “We have called on Edo people to embrace the initiative and programme as malaria affects more women and children. This is a good initiative.”
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole said the programme was all about free malaria testing and treatment, which is sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank.
According to him, for the next two years, all government hospitals in Edo State will receive patients for malaria and they will be tested and treated free of charge, warning that no health worker should charge for the service.
The Director General of Edo State Health Insurance Commission, Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, said the commission is in alliance with the programme ensuring every Edo State citizen is given affordable and free access to malaria medication.
She noted that malaria is a pandemic and the governor has shown that his administration is ready and has taken steps in ensuring that the disease is eliminated from the State.
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