The Gombe State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services, has commenced the distribution of 2.1 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINS), to residents in the 11 local government areas of the state.
This is in line with on-going efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in the state.
Speaking on Friday at a one-day sensitisation programme, Dr Kennedy Ishaya, the Commissioner for Health, said that the nets would be distributed to 3.760 million people at the ratio of one net to two persons.
According to him, the expected target is 100 per cent household coverage and 80 per cent utilisation.
He said the most effective way of reducing malaria burden is the use of the net every night, and also early diagnoses within 24 hours.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, represented by Dr Zainab Yunusa, Deputy Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, said Gombe was one of the four states to benefit from the 14.4 million LLINS.
The minister said that the programme was supported by the Global Fund to fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
He appealed to everyone to cultivate the habit of sleeping inside the treated nets.
“As you are aware, the Federal Government has adopted LLINs replacement campaigns as one of the key strategies for the prevention and elimination of malaria in the country.
“We have also adopted the use of electronic technology, to ensure a better and more efficient LLINs campaign process,” the minister said.
He called on the state government to take ownership of the campaign process to ensure sustainability.
Dr Audu Mohammed, National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme, represented by Mr Philip Okoko, Head, Integrated Management NMEP, said that cases of malaria was on the decline as against the record of 2015.
He said that the survey indicated that the cases dropped to 27 per cent from 42 per cent within the period.
Mohammed urged traditional and religious leaders to support the effort and spread the message to promote effective and proper use of the nets.
