…Targets children under 5, pregnant women
The HACEY Health Initiative, supported by Access Corporation, has launched the End Malaria Project in Lagos. The campaign, held at Ojo Cantonment, aimed to raise awareness, distribute mosquito nets, and offer free malaria tests to residents.
Speaking at the event, Bamidele Oyewunmi, Programme Team Lead at HACEY Health Initiative, emphasised the importance of targeting underserved communities. “We work with underserved communities to ensure they live better lives. We conducted the End Malaria Project with support from Access Corporation to ensure that every member of our beneficiary community gets tested, knows their status, and lives healthily, striving for a malaria-free society.”
He highlighted the significance of choosing Ojo Cantonment for the campaign. “This area, with its environment conducive to malaria parasites, needs attention. We’re not only testing residents but also encouraging them to maintain clean environments, free from the Plasmodium parasite. Our focus today is on pregnant women and children under five, who are particularly vulnerable to malaria.”
The initiative aims to test over 500 people and distribute more than 1,000 mosquito nets. “We want to ensure that every household has treated insecticide mosquito nets to prevent malaria,” Oyewunmi added. “We’re providing free treatments to those who test positive, ensuring comprehensive care.”
Oyewunmi also stressed the importance of educating mothers about malaria during pregnancy. “Our major focus is on pregnant women and nursing mothers to ensure they understand malaria, know how to seek help and take proper care during pregnancy. This initiative will allow us to test and treat vulnerable children under five.”
The campaign is part of a broader effort spanning four states: Lagos, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Ekiti. “With support from Access Corporation, we’re running these projects across Nigeria to ensure every geographical zone is covered,” Oyewunmi explained. “We engage key stakeholders and the government to ensure continued support and intervention in these communities.”
One of the beneficiaries, Tiese Abodunrin, shared her experience. “I just got tested for malaria. Before now, I used to self-medicate whenever I had a fever. Listening to the doctors, I realised the importance of getting tested. I won’t practice self-medication again. We were also educated about maintaining a clean environment to prevent malaria, such as avoiding stagnant water. I’ve learned a lot and will ensure my surroundings are clean and use mosquito nets.”
Through initiatives like the End Malaria Project, Nigeria is making strides in its fight against malaria, aiming to improve health outcomes and economic productivity across the continent.
Malaria continues to pose a severe public health challenge in Nigeria and across Africa, significantly affecting children.
According to the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, about four out of five malaria cases in Nigeria occur in children under five years old. The remaining cases predominantly impact children aged 5-12 years and pregnant women, making it a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in the country.
Furthermore, studies revealed that malaria accounts for approximately 60% of outpatient visits and 30% of hospital admissions in Nigeria. The country also bears a significant portion of global malaria cases and deaths, with children under five and pregnant women being the most vulnerable.
