Investment in healthy environment to reduce 31% malaria death rate in Nigeria – Reckitt

For Nigeria to reduce the rate of malaria-related deaths presently puts at 31.3 percent globally, there is a need for governments, corporates and non-governmental bodies to invest in building cleaner environments and health solutions that would reduce the breeding of mosquitoes-bearing malaria, Reckitt Nigeria, has said.

Reckitt Nigeria said this in Lagos at an event organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Developmental Goals and Investment to mark this year’s World Malaria Day at the Obalende/Ikoyi LCDA with the theme, ‘Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement’.

Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, head of External Communications & Partnership at Reckitt sub-Saharan Africa, said the World Malaria Report 2022, estimated that at 31.3 percent, Nigeria is one of the four African countries that account for over half of all malaria deaths globally.

She said Nigeria also accounts for an estimated 38.4 percent of global malaria deaths in children under five years old.

“By investing in malaria interventions like we are doing today, fostering innovation with various prevention methods, and implementing effective strategies, we can make significant progress towards ending this deadly disease and saving millions of lives,” Uzo-Ogbugh said.

According to her, Reckitt’s investment in Nigeria is driven by the purpose to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world.

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“Mortein, as a leading global insecticide brand, initiated the fight to end Malaria, a campaign geared towards empowering our consumers with knowledge and providing access to expert solutions like Mortein Insecticide to rid themselves of vector-causing malaria, the mosquito,” she added.

Lekan Fatodu, the senior special assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Developmental Goals & Investment, said the responsibility of nation-building and capacity development does not lie in the hands of the government alone, which is why there is a need for the support of corporate entities like Reckitt and brands like Mortein to move forward.

“The Lagos State Government is committed to driving the agenda for human capacity development, but we cannot achieve that for a state like Lagos with a large population that is being challenged with the scourge of malaria, hence, the state needs support from brands like Mortein,” he added.

Kate Henshaw, the brand ambassador of Mortein, also led a gathering of residents and malaria-prevention advocates on a sensitisation walk through the community that saw many people receive educative materials on how to prevent malaria.

Mortein, a product of Reckitt, has been at the forefront of the fight against Malaria in Nigeria. Last year, it signed Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw as a brand ambassador to propagate the message. They have also partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Elimination Program, and other state agencies of health to foster education on malaria prevention through TV and radio infomercials, digital education, and community engagement activities.