Okowa calls for environmental action plan to reduce malaria transmission

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for a National Action Plan on Environment to facilitate the reduction of malaria transmission in the country.
Okowa made the call when he received officials of Federal Ministry of Health Partners on Roll-Back Malaria led by Dr Eze Nelson, on advocacy visit, at Government House, Asaba.
He said that until certain actions were taken in the management of the environment, investments in the treatment of malaria would be “a scratch on the surface’’.
He thanked the global partners for the inclusion of Delta among 13 states for the programme, and assured that Delta would contribute its counterpart funds.
“There is no doubt that malaria has been a major public health problem in this country and to that extent, we are worried because it disturbs the family life.
“I must commend the Federal Ministry of Health and global partners for all the support over the years. Yes, it is good that we invest in Insecticides-treated mosquito nets and other preventive measures but we must concentrate on how to take care of the environment to reduce malaria transmission to barest minimum.
“Until we do that we will find ourselves spending money on daily basis without achieving much because the impact will be marginal.
“I must commend you for this advocacy because it will also help us to work towards reducing the level of transmission in the environment.
“The issue of stagnant water is creating problems for us but we are very glad that this advocacy campaign is very vital and the support of the states is truly needed in this regard.
“We will as a state try to stay focused and I will find out what is needed for the counterpart funding from the state.
“I am committed to doing what ought to be done as a state in order to truly get the programme started in the state,” he said.
The governor said that the state offered free medical attention to pregnant women and children under-five years, adding that those set of persons were very vulnerable and needed a lot of attention.
“We are able to fund the payment of their premium in our Contributory Health Commission and it has helped us a lot in the last four years and it is hoped that governments after us will continue with it,” he stated.