Local Council Development Authority in Lagos State partners with NGO to eradicate malaria

By Adepote Arowojobe

Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State has provided free healthcare services to some vulnerable residents of Ikorodu in collaboration with Hacey Health Initiative (HHI), an NGO.

The programme, tagged: “End Malaria’’ began at Oke-Eletu area in Ijede LCDA on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NGO held counselling sessions for residents on the best measures to stave off malaria and distributed insecticide-treated mosquito nets and drugs to beneficiaries.

Earlier, the NGO’s Programme Manager, Mr Bamidele Oyewunmi, said the malaria project was celebrated across four states in Nigeria, selected based on the prevalence of the infection.

“We encourage beneficiaries to seek counselling and testing before treatment as the symptoms of malaria and fever are similar.

“They are also advised to always sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets as this will prevent the spread of malaria,’’ Oyewunmi said.

He added that the NGO had been implementing the programme annually in the last five years in underserved communities.

He said also that the project had covered 2,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers with donations of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and provision of intermittent preventive therapy in pregnancy.

Oyewunmi called on governments, Civil Societies Organisations and individuals to invest in the health of women and girls in underserved communities.

In her remarks, the Chairman of Ijede LCDA, Mrs Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba commended the NGO and urged the beneficiaries to follow the advice given to them.

“In line with the LCDA’s healthcare agenda, it will continue to partner with NGOs in ensuring good health for residents.

“Our doors are open to other partners in our efforts to eradicate malaria,’’ she said.

(NAN)