BENIN CITY– Following the collaboration of Edo State Government and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to kick malaria out of the state, the N-Power Health Volunteers in Utagban Community in Oredo local government area has organized a one day malaria awareness seminar to fight spread of malaria (FAM) in the community.
Delivering his welcome address on the occasion, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Muhammad Buhari on Job creation and youth employment programme and National Coordinator of the programme Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede appreciated President Buhari for initiating the programme that has touched lives of people across Nigeria.
Represented by the focal person in Edo State Osayuwamen Aladeshelu Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede expressed delight for the N-Health programme stating it is part of the national N-Power programme to help unemployed graduate get some form of employment to enable them have some income and also contribute their quota to development of the society.
Mr. Imoukhuede noted that the N-Power Health volunteers at Utagban organized the programme to support Edo State Government in the fight against malaria which was held some weeks ago where the state government distributed free malaria treated mosquito net to the people of the state.
He commended efforts of the volunteers for giving back to the community where they are posted.
“The N-Heath volunteers posted here today decided to organize this programme to give free malaria test and drugs to resident of Utagban community assisted by qualified health personnel”.
An N-Power Health Volunteer Mr. Enisuoh Martin who delivered a lecture on Malaria said malaria is a preventable disease but has killed a number of persons but preventive measures like sleeping under treated mosquito net, living in a clean environment are some of the ways to make the society safe.
“The Edo State Government in line with the Federal Government initiative and focus embarked on the distribution of treated mosquito net to fight against malaria and the campaign yielded positive result as people across the state benefited from the programme and will sure reduce spread of the disease in the state”.
He called on resident to use the mosquito net given to them, ensure their environment is clean and ensure there are no stagnant water as it is the breeding home or mosquitoes. He urged them go for testing and treatment.
Oredo Primary health care (PHC) coordinator, Dr. Osaze Ezomo thanked the volunteers and called on resident of the community to ensure they utilize the opportunity to get tested and treated if they are positive.
Represented by Joy Imafidon, the Oredo PHC Coordinator called on the people to embrace the exercise as it was an eye opener in the community as better prorammes were ahead.
“This programme is an eye opener of good things to come in the locality. The volunteers are on ground to help our people take care of their health in Utagban community.
“I call on the community to patronize the health center and take opportunity of this nature to improve their health as the test and treatment is free”.
The coordinator of the N-Power Health Volunteers at Utagban Community Chinedu Ikemefuna said the turnout of resident in the area is encouraging and will certainly have positive impact on the community.
He thanked the President for initiating the programme as it has made unemployed graduate useful by contributing their quota to the development of the society.
