Bayelsa to distributes 50,000 treated mosquito nets to coastal communities

Bayelsa Government says it will distribute between 40,000 and 50,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets to coastal communities in the state to prevent malaria infections.

The Manager, Bayelsa State Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr Kesiye Leghemo, disclosed this on Friday during a capacity building workshop for media practitioners on key malaria messages in Bayelsa.

He revealed that the state government through the Ministry of Health had distributed over 18,000 of such nets to the residents of the state in 2017.

“If people can avoid mosquito bites, the rate of malaria will drastically reduce, and child mortality rate will equally reduce.

“Our people must always ensure that all cases of fever are tested before treatment.

“Mosquito is a major carrier of malaria and its parasite poses danger to human system.

“I want to urge residents of the state, especially those living in the rural communities, to keep their environment clean to prevent mosquitoes from incubating, while using the treated nets during sleep.

“The essence of the workshop for media practitioners is to ensure that they also educate the people through their various media platforms on the prevention of malaria.

“The Ministry of Health has earmarked about 40 communities in the state where they will distribute the treated mosquito nets to primary and secondary schools in the area, to help them prevent mosquito bites during rainy season,’’ he said.

He noted that various health centres across the state would also serve as the distribution centres, and advised pregnant women and children to make themselves available during routine immunisation to guide against malaria infection.

The Head of Department, Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Dr Okoyen Ebikapaye, spoke on “Malaria and Prevention, while the Consultant Paediatrician, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Dr Immaculata Tunde-Oremodu spoke on “Complication of Malaria, the need for prompt testing and treatment.”