By Hajara Usman
The National Malaria Elimination Programme, in collaboration with Gombe State government would distribute 2.1 million Insecticide Treated Nets (INT) to residents of the state.
Hajiya Fatimah Ali, Team leader INT National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health stated this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe during a media parley with journalists on Monday.
Ali said the campaign would last for four days beginning from July 24 to 28, and would cover all the communities in the state.
She also said 3,481 million doses of SPAQ will be distributed to under five children as malaria Preventive Therapy.
” We administer the SPAQ to children every four months, the first dose will be this month after 28 days they will take the second dose.”
Ali said it would give the children additional protection and immunity, especially during the rainy season, when the prevalence of malaria is higher because mosquitoes are breeding more.
” They are vulnerable at their age. they have a higher mortality rate, hence the need for preventive measures ,” she said.
She emphasised that the media parley will give journalists insight of what they were doing so that they will make the distribution campaign successful.
Earlier in his welcome remark, Dr Mustapha Musa, Director Disease Control, Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency thanked journalists in the state for their support.
He enjoined members of the media to intensify the campaign on the importance of use of INTs through their reportage.