Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; General Manager, Reckitt Benckiser (RB), West Africa, Dayanand Sriram; National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Audu Bala Mohammed and Marketing Manager, Home & Hygiene, RB West Africa, Mrs. Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi at the Ministerial Press Briefing in Commemoration of the 2018 World Malaria Day in Abuja

In its continued effort to increase awareness and drastically reduce malaria morbidity and mortality rates, Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Nigeria, makers of Mortein insecticide Brand, with its theme: “I stand with Mortein, Ready To Beat Malaria” reaffirmed its commitment with stakeholders; Lagos, Ogun and Abia State Government Ministries of Health as well as the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) Abuja, to upscale action and sustain their commitment for the elimination of malaria in Nigeria through community press briefings, community sensitization and health quiz competitions in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja states simultaneously, continued investment and sustained efforts.

L-R: Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukanna; Representative of wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Vivian Ude-Okochukwu and Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Mrs Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi during the 2018 RB World Malaria Day Celebration in Abia State.

 

Commemorating the drudgery that has gone into fighting the disease and raising awareness in Nigeria, particularly in line with this year’s theme, “Ready to Beat Malaria”, RB, the Federal Ministry of Health and other health sector stakeholders, participated in a road walk from the federal secretariat complex to Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, where a ministerial press briefing was then held.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr Nafiu Olatunde Aigoro; Commissioner for Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Mrs Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi during the 2018 RB and the Ministry Press Conference in Ogun State.

Speaking at the press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2018 WMD, General Manager, Reckitt Benckiser (RB), West Africa, Dayanand Sriram revealed that according to the latest WHO World Malaria Report, released in November 2017, there were 216 million cases of malaria in 2016, up from 211 million cases in 2015. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 445 000 in 2016, a similar number to the previous year of 446 000. An estimated 445,000 pregnant women and children aged below five die every year from malaria with Africa accounting for over 90 per cent of global malaria cases and deaths. ‘‘As I speak to you, millions of people are suffering from malaria all over Nigeria and every minute a child reportedly dies from malaria’’, He said.

“According to the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBMP), Nigeria is the highest malaria-burden country, accounting for 26 percent of global malaria cases and almost a third of related deaths. There are millions of people who remain without access to malaria prevention or even treatment resulting in preventable deaths. Most of these cases and even deaths go unreported because of lack of proper documentation. This puts a strain on health systems and national malaria program budgets, hence calling for sophisticated intervention adaptable in combating and eliminating malaria and malaria transmission to its barest minimum.”

The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Dr. Audu Bala Mohammed stated that “the fight against malaria is an ongoing one and it is a fight to the finish in the country. There have been consistent results because we have not backed down in our efforts ensuring adequate performance from all quarters. We have also tackled the emergence of drug and insecticide resistance. It is our firm belief that Nigeria will join countries that have eliminated malaria in the world.” he added

Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, Reckitt Benckiser, West Africa, Mrs. Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola explained that, “Mortein brand has continuously put structures in place that will drastically reduce the intensity of malaria transmission in the country through sustainable initiatives.  We don’t talk about malaria prevention once a year.”

Mortein’s vision is to have a malaria free Nigeria and efforts towards elimination of malaria is taken further yearly through our infomercial on the WHO 3 step integrated approach as well as several other initiatives such as community sensitization, free malaria tests in markets,  education and distribution of LLIn’s to the most vulnerable in partnership with the State Malaria Program officers which promotes good health and wellbeing while imploring all to take a stand with Mortein in the fight to beat malaria.

While addressing the press at the event, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole said that the Federal Government through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) has achieved remarkable strides in its various interventions, having trained numerous healthcare providers, distributed doses of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) drugs and delivered units of Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT) kits to states.

“A malaria-free Nigeria is possible through a stronger inter-sectorial coordination, implementation of well-known and cost-effective interventions, supported by a strong accountability framework and a strengthened primary health care system. These will facilitate timely allocation of adequate resources and access to basic health services to the population, particularly the underserved population”. He said.

While commending Mortein for its work and continuous support in the fight against malaria through its collaboration with the government. He therefore pledged the Federal government’s commitment to work with RB/ Mortein to ensure total eradication of malaria in the country by imploring everyone to join the fight to beat Malaria.

The Commissioners for health in Lagos, Ogun and Abia States also commended Mortein for teaming up with their respective State governments in the fight against malaria.

 

 

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