Date: 2017-09-28

The Kwara State Government says it will begin its free distribution of 1,997,000 treated mosquito nets for children under five years and pregnant women from Thursday.

The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Atolagbe Alege, told the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in llorin on Wednesday that this was part of the state government's efforts at eradicating malaria and other communicable diseases. Alege said that the cards for the free distribution of the mosquito nets to all households in the 16 local government areas of the state had earlier been distributed by health workers across the state.

"Between Thursday, Sept.28 and Oct.3, 2017, we shall begin the free distribution of 1,997,000 treated mosquito nets for children under five years and pregnant women to prevent an outbreak of malaria in the state," the commissioner said.

Alege, however, warned healthcare officials in charge of the exercise against extortions or taking gratifications from anyone or group before giving out the mosquito nets.

He advised mothers in the state to use the nets for their comfort and that of their children instead of selling them.

The commissioner said that the state government had spent N45 million on preventing an outbreak of communicable diseases in the state in the last one year.

He said that this was spent to upgrade the public health department, surveillance, ecological services, gathering of information and sensitization programme.

He added that part of it was also spent on monitoring and evaluation of laboratory analysis.

Alege said that the state government was committed to intensifying its efforts at curtailing the outbreak of diseases in all parts of the state.

He advised residents of the state to always complement government's efforts aimed at ensuring their healthy living by maintaining a clean environment every time. The commissioner urged the residents of the state to always monitor the types of foods and drinks they consume to avoid contacting communicable diseases. (NAN)