Charles Ekanem|9 June 2016|7:47am
Mediatrix Development Foundation, the pet project of Dr Linda Ayade, the wife of the Governor of Cross River State, yesterday visited Saint Patrick College, Ikot Ansa, Calabar to launch her Hunt Malaria Initiative club in the school. The Governor's wife who was represented by Director General Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu noted that the Governor’s wife is very passionate about the health of young people in the state and will not relent till she eliminates Malaria in CRS.
According to the DG, Dr Linda Ayade through her Hunt Malaria Initiative is launching a Malaria Club in your school today. The vision is clear: educate young students on malaria prevention and create good ambassadors from the club that will take the Malaria messages on prevention and vector control back home to their parents, friends and communities etc.
She noted that the club will emphasise on basic things like keeping environment clean to prevent breading sites, wearing protective clothing, sleeping inside the nets, testing before treatment with ACTs and other health issues that concern young people.
“H.E Dr. Linda Ayade has provided 650 Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets for every staff and student in this school. She pleads that every one in the dormitories sleep under the net. She will also work towards revitalizing the school clinic and supporting it with commodities. She further assured them that the foundation will come up with inter schools competition which she hopes SPC will take the lead.
Principal of the school, Rev. Fr. Christopher Okon had earlier noted that Malaria is a very serious issue in the society, while thanking the foundation for extending their fight against Malaria to Saint Patrick College.
“The students, management and entire staff of the school are very grateful to the Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade first for marrying a very wonderful wife who cares about the health of young children in Cross River State and for initiating the Malaria programs in schools”, the Roman Catholic priest said.
He also lauded the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for their supportive role while requesting for the state government to come to their aid by equipping the school clinic which he noted will serve the students better.
Dr Iwara Iwara, the Director Roll back Malaria Programme said the essence of the program in schools is to enlighten, expand the knowledge of students and staffs on appropriate measures in containing the diseases. He charged them to always feel free to apply through writing to the agency anytime there is drug stock-out and less Malaria commodities in their clinic.
Finally, Jeff Adadame, Coordinator of the Hunt Malaria program in schools said the establishment of Malaria clubs will help students acquire knowledge about Malaria and how to contain it. He urged the school authority to ensure the nets get to all boarders first before others.
Master Joseph Akpanke, the Senior School Prefect hailed the dogmatic Wife of the Governor for her good work in the state while assuring her that they will make good use of the nets and be great Malaria ambassadors.
The nets were distributed to all students and staff of the school under the supervision of DG.
Charles Ekanem
Is the media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA