State health ministries partner Mortein for one act against malaria

In continuation of its fight against malaria and as part of activities marking this year’s World Malaria Day, with the theme, ‘End Malaria for Good,’ Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Nigeria, makers of Mortein, have joined forces with the Lagos, Ogun and Abia States and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) to upscale action for the elimination of malaria in Nigeria through community engagement, continued investment and sustained efforts.

The community engagement saw officials from the states Ministry of Health and Reckitt Benckiser carry out sanitation, free malaria testing and consultation in the four states. They also went round communities to sensitise and educate residents on the benefits of maintaining a clean environment as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce mosquitoes, which are the major carriers of malaria parasite.

Speaking at the press briefing to commemorate this year’s WMD, General Manager, RB West Africa, Rahul Murgai, said the community engagement and collaborations was part of numerous consumer engagement activities to stem the prevalence of malaria in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Leferink Aliza, revealed that there are an estimated 100 million malaria cases, with over 300,000 deaths per year, in Nigeria, mostly among children under the age of five.

Reiterating commitment to eradicating malaria, Marketing Manager, Mortein, RB West Africa, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola, stated that the firm has been at the forefront of the fight against it in Nigeria.

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, in his address, said this year’s campaign aims at drawing significant attention to the need to totally eradicate the scourge in the country.

He commended Mortein for its work and continuous support in the fight against malaria through its collaboration with the government.

He pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to work with RB/Mortein to ensure total eradication of malaria in the country by imploring everyone to act against malaria in his or her community.