Orange Group restates commitment to health equity, malaria eradication

L-R: Uchenna Ezenna - Media and Communications director; Ernest Ezenna, Business Development director, and Anthony Ezenna, Finance director Orange Group.

In recognition of the 2024 World Malaria Day theme: Gender, Health Equity, and Human Rights with the slogan Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world, Orange Group, one of the leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, in a statement reiterated its commitment to ensuring everyone has a fair chance at preventing and treating malaria.

Orange Group says it champions health equity by providing affordable solutions like Gardia, the lightweight non-allergenic mosquito repellent cream that provides protection from mosquitoes and insect bites for eight hours.

In addition to Gardia, they also provide Laris, an anti-malarial medication formulated with the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended first-line treatment of 480mg Lumefantrine and 80mg Artemether.

Uchenna Ezenna, Orange Group’s Media and Communications Director, emphasises the company’s core mission; “At Orange Group, we are dedicated to developing innovative healthcare solutions that are accessible and affordable. By providing Gardia and Laris, we directly address the 2024 World Malaria Day theme, promoting health equity and human rights in the fight against this devastating disease disproportionately impacting Nigeria in particular and Africa as a whole.”

Nigeria faces a critical public health challenge with malaria. While Africa bears the brunt of the disease globally (accounting for 94 percent of cases and 95 percent of deaths in 2022 according to the WHO), Nigeria’s situation is particularly concerning.

A staggering 26.8 percent of all malaria cases and a shocking 31.1 percent of all malaria deaths in Africa occurred in Nigeria in 2022.

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Beyond providing affordable solutions, Orange Group is also actively championing health equity through impactful community initiatives which include a sensitization walk on malaria prevention and treatment in Ajeromi Ifelodun, Lagos State on World Malaria Day, 25th April, 2024. This walk will include free malaria testing and distribution of both Laris and Gardia to participants.

On the same day, the company will also be conducting sensitization sessions on malaria and prevention methods targeted towards pregnant women in primary health centres across Oshodi and Surulere L.G.As of Lagos State. These sessions will also include the distribution of Gardia to expecting mothers.

Ezenna elaborates, “Our greatest reward lies in ensuring affordability and accessibility for everyday Nigerians. We go beyond just offering innovative products.

“By making Gardia and Laris affordable and readily available throughout Nigeria, regardless of socio-economic background, and by implementing impactful community initiatives, Orange Group actively dismantles barriers to healthcare equity.”

By prioritising affordability, accessibility, and community engagement, Orange Group champions the 2024 World Malaria Day theme, working towards a world where everyone has the right to health and protection from this preventable disease

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.