Women-for-Women Foundation, an NGO, last Sunday began the sensitisation of Almajiris and other destitutes in Kaduna on ways to prevent malaria and other diseases caused by dirty environment.
Chairperson of the foundation, Dr Maryam Abubakar said the campaign was part of activities designed by the organisation to mark the 2018 World Malaria Day.
She said that the focus was on the poor, who were mostly prone to all forms of diseases due to their poor economic status and inability to properly safeguard their health.
Abubakar stressed that once people are knowledgeable about preventive measures, it would be easier for them to avoid situations that would make them victims of mosquito bites and malaria.
According to her, malaria remains a major health problem in Nigeria and causes death and illness in children and adults, especially pregnant women.
“This is also a way to see how they can contribute toward raising awareness to other children, in order to prevent them against all forms of diseases associated with mosquito,” she said.
Abubakar, who is also the Medical Director, Fatimah Clinic, Kaduna said the fight against malaria in Nigeria requires collective action including awareness of where mosquitoes breed, feed, host and where they rest so as to design appropriate control measures.
She noted that hundreds of Nigerian children and women die annually from malaria caused by mosquito bite, but said continued intervention by UNICEF, WHO, government and other humanitarian organisations have reduced the threat.
Climate change has contributed immensely to the increase in large number of mosquitoes in Africa.
Director African Climate Reporters, Mohammed Zakariyya, said in his comments at the event, that the measure taken by the foundation was novel as it targeted the most vulnerable in the society to impart knowledge to them on protection against malaria.
According to him, malaria remains a major public health problem in the country causing deaths and illnesses in children and adults and tasked the ministry of environment to double efforts in tackling environmental issues breeding mosquitoes.
Meanwhile ,Foundation for the protection of women and children in Nigeria comrade Ramatu Tijjani has appealed to all Necessary organization across Africa,to immensely join the fight against malaria diseases,
Ramatu called on parents to Protect their children and themserves from mosquito bites by sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net,and Wear socks, long pants, long-sleeve shirts and blouses.
She said,there is need to Spray the room with an insecticide before entering and , Make sure the room doors and windows are closed properly and screened with gauze to prevent mosquitoes from getting in.
While calling on Pregnant women and young children to immensely avoid travelling to malaria-prone areas,she then appealed to Government against to also fight against fake malaria drugs that dominate Nigeria and some part of African market
