Hyundai Fights Malaria In Lagos

As part of its commitment to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria, Hyundai Motors  Nigeria Limited has launched its health platform intervention with the Fight Malaria Initiative.

The Fight Malaria Initiative which was held at the Mushin Local Government Council in Lagos was  part of Hyundai’s CSR intervention in the area of health, launched in partnership with local  governments in Nigeria with the aim of educating people on, preventing and controlling malaria.

Emphasizing the reasons for partnering on this platform, Hyundai’s spokesperson Karthik J. Nayak  said: “The statistics are alarming but the reality even more so. In Nigeria, a child dies from  malaria every 30 seconds. We cannot continue to mortgage our lives and that of our children. We  intend to deploy our resources to ensure that malaria becomes a part of our past in this country.

He said the focus on women and children is very important because ensuring their treatment and  protection would mean a significant victory in the battle against malaria. Malaria in pregnancy  leads to low birth weight and premature delivery, both of which are associated with an increased  risk of neonatal death and impaired cognitive development.

Young children who survive cerebral malaria, a severe form of the disease, characterized by coma  and convulsions, can be left with permanent neurological problems. These include weakness,  spasticity, speech problems and epilepsy.

“Today we have begun to write the final chapter of the history of malaria. We have raised the  hopes and expectations of our people-we must not let them down. We cannot afford to let them down.  May malaria be rolled out and development rolled in all the communitiesd.”  These were the closing  remarks of Hon Ismail Yahya, Secretary to Mushin Local Government during the Hyundai CSR health  platform on malaria.

During the flag off, mosquito-treated nets and insecticides were distributed to the residents  within the local government council.

Other critical areas of the initiative which are focused on community engagement include training  and development of leadership skills within communities as well as establishment of Malaria  Prevention Clubs within the selected local government areas.