Distribution of 3.4 million insecticide treated nets commences in Benue

 

Over 3.4 million bed nets are expected to be distributed to reach over 6.8 million people in the Benue state.
This was revealed at the flag-off of the 2016 net replacement campaign held yesterday at the IBB Square in Makurdi, the state capital.
Speaking, the Acting Deputy Mission Director, USAID, Matthew Burton called on the people of the state to take advantage of the free nets and use them to get mosquitoes off them, saying that USAID looks forward to a day when malaria is eliminated.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom  restated the preparedness of his administration to partner with relevant development agencies in the provision of good and affordable health care service to the people.

He said that the fight against malaria needs collaboration and support of all to ensure its success, adding that the scourge is a great killer, more deadly and devastating than most other diseases, hence the need to work together to reduce malarial deaths in the country.
Governor Ortom thanked the U.S Agency for International Development, (USAID), UNICEF and other partners for coming together to provide the nets, malarial kits and malarial medicines, and warned against the sale of such donations as they were freely given to the people in the fight against malaria in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cecilia Ojabor made a passionate appeal to the people to come out with their cards and get replacement for their bed nets and use them properly to keep off mosquitoes.
There were goodwill messages from  other partners and stakeholders, among them, UNCEF, WHO, JSI, NMEP, and SHI.