Date: 2017-05-01

A Non Governmental Organisation, the Health Builders Initiatives has held its first health sensitisation campaign on malaria by distributing free malaria drugs, mosquitoes repellent creams and Long lasting insecticide nets to the people of Ago-Oja Community in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State . The campaign which was themed : Sensitisation on malaria, was also organised to educate the host community on the malaria prevention, causes, symptoms and treatment.

The people of the community were tested for malaria and drug was administered to those who tested positive.

Speaking at the event, a Pharmacist, Mr.Taiwo Ogunfemi, emphasised that malaria prevention is more of personal intervention than government intervention. Ogunfemi, who was the guest speaker admonished the rural dwellers, particularly the people of Ago-Oja Community to ensure that they keep clean environment in order to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

He asked the pregnant women and children under the age of five to sleep under treated insecticide nets.

Another guest speaker, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Sodehinde asked government to refocus attention towards taming the scourge of malaria, describing it as a silent killer disease. Also speaking, the media director of the organisation, Dr. Khadijat Kehinde Kadiri said the campaign was part of the organisation's efforts to achieve its aim of stemming the growth of mortality rate in rural areas. Dr. Kadiri, a lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, noted that the organisation created a platform to curb the influx of mother and child mortality especially among rural dwellers.

She said "We choose malaria for the first campaign due to the alarming research figures that shows malaria still kills'. It's a common disease that should be tackled by government at all levels, organizations, relevant stakeholders and international agencies". Kadiri stressed the need for support from government, international donors and well meaning individuals in the society to enable the health outreach achieve the desired goals.

"We call on government and private bodies to partner with us in this quest, everyone should have adequate knowledge and access to basic health care. This is the first campaign but it will certainly not be the last", she said. Responding, the people of Ago Oja Community appreciated the Non-Governmental organisation for the sensitisation programme and for distribution of free malaria drugs as well as treating malaria patients in the community. They however called on government and private organisations to help them solve their protracted water problem, saying that water is important towards ensuring a clean healthy living.