FG, Global Fund earmark $8.8mn to tackle malaria in Osun

As part of measures to tackle malaria in the state, Federal government and a group called, Global Fund, recently said they had earmarked a sum of $8.8 million for the procurement of insecticidal treated nets in Osun state.

To ensure a successful implementation of the programme, 14,000 personnel have also been recruited to distribute the nets and ensure that, at least a net is given to an average of two persons in the state.

The programme coordinator, who doubles as the Catholic Relief Service manager in the state, Adetayo Olusola, stated this at an orientation workshop for newsmen organised by the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).

He added that, the stated amount is meant for the procurement of mosquito nets, why other funds would also be made available in other areas by the federal government and global fund to tackle the disease in the state.

He averred that the nets, when procured, would be distributed across the 30 local government areas of the state.

According to him, during the exercise, 2.2 million nets would be distributed, stressing that National Malaria Elimination Programme would also ensure that malaria scourge is reduced in the state.

Charging people in the state to sleep inside treated net, Adetayo said: “Sleeping inside the net keeps away mosquitoes. It is easier and cheaper to hang the net than to treat malaria.”

Bola Bamigbola, Osogbo