Lack of monitoring, misuse of facilities affects Malaria Control, Immunization – Sheik Animashaun

Osun Chief Imam, Sheik Musa Animashaun have identified inconclusive monitoring of the distribution of Immunization facilities for malaria, misuse or abuse of facilities by the people, shortage of staff, and lack of transparency on the part of health workers financial wise, as reason for issues affecting Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition in the state.

The Sheik disclosed this during the advocacy visit to his office and other stakeholders by A Civil Society For Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), for stakeholders in Osun, as a national network for civil societies working on the prevention and mitigation of malaria, and the promotion of immunization and better nutrition in Nigeria, with Osun in view.

At the advocacy visits made to religious leaders, traditional leaders and chairmen of councils in Osogbo, Ede North, Ife East, Ife South and Boripe local governments, Mr Aremu Stephen, the state program officer stated that the fight to eliminate malaria in Nigeria through the advocacy facilitated their advocacy to stakeholders in Osun, added that the ongoing ACOMIN project is to define scope of responsibilities, identification of problems arising from implementation, and effective utilization of provided facilities such as mosquito nets, malaria drugs, insecticides, among others.

Similarly Osogbo local government chairman, Hon Adegoke Oluwasegun identified other factors as lack of adequate funding, non-conducive environment and partiality in distributions of facilities by the workers, adding that there should be free access to the facilities by all the citizens, educating the communities on proper usage and regular scheduled visitation by the team.

Also, Ede North Secretary, Mr Ekundayo Olajide hinged that rivalry between local government staff and state health workers also affects the program negatively due to discrimination.

Moreover, the stakeholders, religious leaders, traditional rulers and political heads at the five local governments’ area paid advocacy visits to, assured ACOMIN of their collaboration and support of the ongoing project in Osun, discussed enhancement and effectiveness of the program through the health workers involved in the distribution of immunization activities and sensitization for communities participation.
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