Group gives mosquito nets to Makoko residents

The Chief Believing Officer, Orbus Global Solutions, Aisha Bello-Tukur, has called on wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to initiate programmes that will improve the standard of living of rural residents.

Such moves, Bello-Tukur said, would help to prevent the outbreak of diseases and infant mortality.

She made the appeal at a recent programme organised to mark the World Malaria Day in Makoko, Lagos.

She added that the initiative would help to educate residents on how to keep their environments clean and prevent malaria deaths.

“We are not new to Makoko. We organised a similar programme during the last World Water Day. We donated food and sanitary items as well as fishing kits. But, we realised that the residents were prone to malaria.

“That is why we are here to conduct free malaria tests and treatment for those who test positive to the malaria parasite. We are also going to distribute 1,000 mosquito nets and educate them on how to prevent mosquito bites,’’ she said.

Also, a Laboratory Scientist, Mr. Evans Enwefah, said the facilities, especially the nets would greatly help to reduce that mosquito attacks on the people.

“We have tested 13 people already and we have four cases of active malaria from them. We have given them the Artemisin Combination Therapy as prescribed by the World Health Organisation.

“Treated mosquito net is the cheapest form of malaria prevention and it can last for four years. Beyond that, we have counselled residents on ways to maintain personal hygiene. It is important to dispose stagnant water in open cans and buckets. Once they are not exposed to mosquito bites and they observe sanitation days as prescribed by the government, they will be free from mosquito attacks,’’ he said.

Calling on the government to provide basic amenities in the community, the Baale of Makoko Migbewe, Steven Aji, commended the organisation for supporting residents of the community.

He said the absence of malaria in the community meant that there would be less visits to distant hospitals in Lagos.

PUNCH.