Total empowers community to tackle malaria

Executive General Manager, Country Services, Total Nigeria Plc, Bunmi Popoola-Mordi, has said the alarming escalation in malaria cases, especially in the sub-Saharan Africa remains worrisome.Speaking during a campaign by Total Nigeria Plc in Abuja, Popoola-Mordi said sub-Saharan Africa is still home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 92 per cent of malaria deaths globally.
   
The campaign, which was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) involved series of intervention activities in Abuja communities to ensure prevention and elimination of malaria.
   
Popoola-Mordi said: “The Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden, making the region home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 92 per cent of malaria deaths.
   
“That is why Total group in Nigeria is determined to join forces with all stakeholders and other corporate organisations in the push to prevent and eradicate malaria”, she said.
   
According to her, the selection of the community in the FCT was due to the high prevalence of malaria cases in the area, adding that the company’s ultimate goal is to ensure a malaria-free environment.She noted that since the firm launched its malaria elimination programme, it has supported the efforts of the federal government through the donation of 2000 treated mosquito nets, environmental fumigation, clearing of drainages and refuse collection and disposal.

She advised residents of the community to take personal hygiene seriously by ensuring that their surroundings are kept clean so they would not have any breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying malaria.The programme, which held at the Primary Health Centre, Kuntunku area of Gwagwalada, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was part of activities to mark the World Malaria Day observed every April 25.

High points of the event included environmental sanitation exercise, house –to- house net hanging exercise, diagnosis testing and treatment of malaria and distribution of thousands of Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLIN) to residents.The High Chief of the area, Mallam Muhammadu Sani commended Total for choosing the community for the intervention programme.Sani assured the firm that he would work with his cabinet members to ensure that environmental sanitation is carried out in the community on a regular basis.