Group Calls Out for Governments' Intervention on Elimination of Malaria in Osun

A non governmental organization known as Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has called on Osun government to increase it's efforts on elimination of malaria in local governments across the state.

This is just as the group is working on the prevention, treatment and mitigation of the impact of malaria as well as the promotion of immunization and better nutrition in Nigeria, with focus on local governments, with the support of Global Fund.This was disclosed by the Osun ACOMIN Chairman, Mr Aremu Stephen at the Advocacy focused Media meetings at state level in Osogbo the state capital, where he advocated that the state government increases its funding on Malaria prevention.

The ACOMIN Chairman stated that the organization with the support of it's sponsor is presently focused on five local governments in the state, called on the state government through the ministry of health to heighten up the protection of lives through eradication of malaria at the local governments in the state.

He commended the state government for the rehabilitation of Primary Health Care centers in the local governments across the state, as well as equipping the facilities, adding that more is needed from the government in this critical sector of the economy.

Aremu maintained that ACOMIN in collaboration with Society for Family Health and other major stakeholders had visited 15 local governments in the state, that successes recorded was based on the Advocacy, Accountability Campaign done to stakeholders on community engagement to sustain the campaign against malaria towards prevention and elimination of malaria through stoppage of open defecation, availability of clean environment, long lasting net, malaria drugs among others.

The ACOMIN Chairman called out to Osun government through the Ministry of Health and Osun Primary Health Care Board, to sustain the health facilities provided in local governments in the state with availability of adequate health personnel, better beddings, provision of electricity, security guards, and water supply, adding that stakeholders are also called upon to support the government in his provision of health services for Osun people.

In his remarks, the Program Officer Ministry of Health Dr Segun Orode commended ACOMIN as well as appreciated Global Fund for the support on malaria elimination in local governments in Osun, adding that malaria can be eliminated totally, despite that health treatment could be expensive.

He averred that the government cannot do it alone, hence calling on stakeholders to support the government as it improves it's efforts on elimination of malaria and other health related issues in the state, and he called on Osun people to access the health care and get the essential treatment needed for clean bill of health.

In his remark, the ACOMIN state program Officer, Mr David Amoto explained that since the introduction and usage of long lasting net for prevention of malaria in year 2017, malaria infection reduced, but increased as at date, adding that more campaign and sensitization of people is required, and this is achievable through sustainability of the Advocacy Accountability Campaign of the ACOMIN.

Amoto further expressed the decision of the Civil Society in Malaria Control Immunization and Nutrition ACOMIN to partner the government and key in to the budgeted health policy for the benefit of Osun citizenry, adding that this will serve as a cashback as supportive malaria improves.