Charles Ekanem|5 July 2016|10:00am
The rains are back with its ability to create more breeding sites for Mosquitoes to thrive. The resultant effect is that more persons are coming down with Malaria and there is an increase in absenteeism of school children due to Malaria. To combat this ugly situation, the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Linda Ayade, has heightened her Hunt Malaria interventions, reaching more schools in the state.
Police Secondary School, Akpabuyo on Wednesday 29th June, 2016 benefitted from Wife of the Governor. Dr Linda Ayade Pet project “Hunt Malaria Initiative” of Mediatrix Development Foundation.
The event started with an electrifying parade display by the students and an art exibition that was simply epic! Welcoming Her Excellency, the Commandant of the school, SP Godwin Onah acknowledged the efforts of the Wife of the Governor in combating Malaria in the state. He said the visit was timely as more and more persons are coming down with Malaria in their school. Noting that the school is sited in a swampy area with lots of breeding sites for Mosquitoes.
He further commended the State Government for revitalizing primary healthcare in the state and the progress achieved so far by the state Primary Healthcare e Agency in reducing the incidence of common diseases in the communities, noting that they are beneficiaries. However, He pleaded for more government intervention to assist the school refurbish their medical clinic and purchase ambulance to move severely ill students to town.
The Wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade duly represented by her Special Adviser, Mrs Rosemary Eneji said the essence of the visit is to identify with them and chart a new course for school health services which is one of the MDF objectives. Such services according to her begins with establishment of Hunt Malaria clubs in schools which is the reason we came here. Our digital state Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade will not relent until our children are healthy, we need you to support these initiatives and join hand with him to move the state forward.
Speaking earlier, Dr Betta Edu, Director General Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency said she came courtesy of a woman very passionate about the healthcare and well being of children in CRS.
According to her, Malaria poses a huge burden to the society as 60℅ absenteeism in schools is as a result of the disease called Malaria. Without these proactive measures undertaken by Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade to curtail the disease in schools, students will miss out from studies.
“Every child leaving in boarding house should be educated on how to prevent and treat Malaria. Our aim is to ensure that all of you sleep under long lasting insecticide treated nets because ending Malaria for good is our top priority” said the DG.
Explaining the formation of the Hunt Malaria club to students, staff and management, Mr Jeff Adadame, P.A Health Initiative to Her Excellency said the club system will run in the school with quarterly competitions among many schools which he hopes Police boys will conquer the quest.
State Director of Community Health and Programme Manager, Roll Back Malaria, Dr Iwara Iwara noted that in the Nigeria a child dies of Malaria every second when the disease is actually preventable and that is why we are fully in support of the project as an agency as it will aid the battle against Malaria in the state.
“I task you all to avoid self medication which will lead to resistance to treatment. Remember it is one child, one net and please ensure to sleep under it”, said Dr Iwara.
Long lasting insecticides nets were distributed to all staff and boarding students as part of the Hunt Malaria Club intervention in the schools.
Charles Ekanem
Is the media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA