Oyo government gives five million mosquito nets to residents

Makinde promises affordable, qualitative healthcare services

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, kick-started the distribution of five million insecticide-treated nets to people across the 33 local councils of the state.

He also promised that the administration would continue to provide accessible, affordable and qualitative healthcare for all indigenes and residents of the state.

The governor also said that the administration is committed to improving access to healthcare delivery by providing functional primary healthcare centre in each of the 351 electoral wards of the state.

Makinde, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Abdul-Mojeed Mogbonjubola, said the distribution process of the mosquito nets would increase awareness of communities on the appropriate knowledge, attitude and skills in preventing malaria caused by mosquito bites.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as declaring at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, venue of the event, that the state would equally improve the health of mothers and children by reducing morbidity and mortality rate across the communities.

He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I stand here today to flag off the distribution of five million insecticide-treated nets that will be distributed across all the 33 local councils of the state. My presence on this occasion underscores the importance this administration accords to the health and well-being of the people of the state.

“Malaria is still a public health challenge in Nigeria and Oyo State. It seriously challenges the healthcare needs of women and children in our communities, especially at the grassroots. This net distribution process is expected to increase awareness of communities on the appropriate knowledge, attitude and skills in preventing malaria caused by mosquito bites. This will further improve the health of mothers and children by reducing morbidity and mortality rate across communities.”

The governor emphasised that his administration, in a bid to ensure that health services in the state are evidence-based, community data capturing is now electronic to ensure all grassroots households are captured and have access to healthcare services.

He gave the assurance that the state would intensify efforts at improving the healthcare-seeking behaviour of the populace and give the right message and information needed on the use of insecticide-treated nets.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Funmi Salami, who spoke earlier, said that the government embarked on an advocacy drive in the media through the airing of jingles for the populace to be aware of distribution periods and benefits of making use of insecticide treated mosquito nets in their household.