End Malaria Project begins in three states

In a bid to eradicate malaria across the country, the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA) has launched the End Malaria Project in Lagos, Ebonyi and Kaduna. 

CAMA, in partnership with Access Bank, commenced the project with an advocacy visit to the government and community leaders in Alimosho and Ikorodu councils of Lagos State, to familiarise and engage the community with the project.

Programme Director, CAMA, Ochuko Keyamo-Onyige, said malaria is endemic in the tropics, transmitted all over Nigeria, with over 97 per cent of the country’s population risking getting the disease.

The health programme, targeting five communities in Lagos: the Ekoro, Omorogba, Adelabu, Omologede and Ijede communities of Alimosho and Ikorodu councils has CAMA’s implementing partner, HACEY Health Initiative donating 600 insecticide treated nets, 1250 malaria rapid diagnostic tests kits and 1000 doses of IPTp-SP to 12 primary health facilities in the two local councils. This is aside information, education and communication material that were distributed to over 3,000 households. 

According to the director, community mobilisers and volunteers were trained, just as community members were sensitised in their homes, shops, markets and parks, using 4000 information and education materials, information pamphlets, stickers and banners.

“Transmission season lasts all year in Southern Nigeria, reaching its peak during the rainy season, thereby putting pregnant women and children under-five with relatively lower levels of immunity at high risk,” Keyamo-Onyige said. 
 
The programme director also explained that CAMA launched the End Malaria Project as an initiative to galvanise private sector resources and capabilities for sustained support towards reducing the incidence and prevalence of malaria in the most endemic region in Africa by 2023, starting in Nigeria.