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Total, Development Africa, Lagos host malaria intervention campaign

By Victoria Njoku
10 December 2015   |   1:43 am
RECENT findings in the study into malaria treatment has revealed an emerging parasite resistance to anti-malarial medicines and mosquito resistance to insecticides which if left unaddressed could render some of the current tools ineffective and trigger a rise in global malaria mortality.
Head, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Health, Total Exploration and Production, Dr. Charles Ngerigbara (left); Head, Roll Back Malaria Programme, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abimbola Osinowo; Baale of Ilasan, Abdulrasheed Afolabi; and Country Director, Development Africa, Joshua Kempeneer, during the Development Africa Malaria Elimination Programme sponsored by Total held in Eti Osa Local Government on Thursday.

Head, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Health, Total Exploration and Production, Dr. Charles Ngerigbara (left); Head, Roll Back Malaria Programme, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abimbola Osinowo; Baale of Ilasan, Abdulrasheed Afolabi; and Country Director, Development Africa, Joshua Kempeneer, during the Development Africa Malaria Elimination Programme sponsored by Total held in Eti Osa Local Government on Thursday.

RECENT findings in the study into malaria treatment has revealed an emerging parasite resistance to anti-malarial medicines and mosquito resistance to insecticides which if left unaddressed could render some of the current tools ineffective and trigger a rise in global malaria mortality.

Experts reiterated this during a three-day malaria intervention campaign, which held in Eti Osa Local Government area of Lagos state on Tuesday through Thursday last week.

The programme was in continuation of the Roll Back Malaria initiative, which is aimed at ridding the country of malaria. Total Nigeria Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited sponsored it in partnership with a Non-governmental organization, Development Africa (DA) and the Lagos State Ministry of Health to host a three-day malaria intervention campaign in Eti Osa Local Government of Lagos state.

Highlights activities during the campaign include free testing and treatment of malaria cases for residents; distribution of long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets across the community, awareness and training lectures for healthcare workers and members of the community.

Speaking during the programme, from which hundreds of families have benefitted, Head Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Dr. Charles Ngerigbara, noted that in the fight against malaria, prevention was the watchword and argued that it is less expensive. He added that malaria is a global malaise and there was need for partnership to crush the disease.

Ngerigbara said: “Every year Malaria affects over 300 million people globally, this explains why our organization is determined to join forces with governments at all levels, NGOs, private healthcare providers and other corporate organizations in the fight to eradicate the disease from our environment. To fight this disease we have worked with Development Africa over the years and we encourage more collaboration from other private sector players.
“We are supporting the efforts of the Nigerian government in the fight against malaria by donating Rapid Diagnostic test Kits (RTD), consumables and drugs. Also available for distribution are over 1800 long lasting insecticide treated nets. We believe that with the cooperation of everyone we can control and prevent the scourge of malaria and indeed make Nigeria a malaria-free nation.”

Though experts insist a lot of progress has been made in the fight against malaria over the years, malaria continue to be a widespread disease causing approximately 584 000 deaths and 198 global cases annually. The grand majority of deaths from malaria occur in sub Sahara Africa, emphasizing the need for corporate bodies and NGOs across Nigeria to join hands with government in the effort to reduce the malaria burden.

Addressing participants at the ceremony, Country Director, Development Africa (DA), Joshua Kempeneer commended Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited for the continued support in the areas of malaria eradication and called for a continued joint partnership between public and private sector to sustain the progress made so far reach the sustainable development goal 3:good health and wellbeing,” Kempeneer concluded.

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