By Prince J Musa in Kenema
As part of the government’s commitment to combat the rate of malaria infection in the country, the Kenema District Health Management Team (DHMT) through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and development partners has commenced massive distribution of treated mosquito bed nets in the district.
The distribution which commenced on the 21st of February, 2024 attracted stakeholders, lactating and pregnant women, civil society groups, and other organizations working on health programmes in the District.
Addressing the gathering at the event, the Kenema government hospital Medical superintendent, Dr. Abdulai Tejan Jalloh described the process as another great development for the people to mitigate and if possible eliminate malaria in the country. He said malaria is one of the fastest diseases that kills, especially under-five children, and also affects pregnant women during delivery.
“Malaria causes more maternal and infant mortality rate in the country,’’ he said.
He affirmed that the distribution of bed nets is a way to prevent mosquito bites and reduce malaria transmission parasites and urged people to utilize them rather than misuse them. He said that teams were trained to register people by household and that the process went on successfully in the district that saw the issuing of voucher cards that will be used to collect the bed nets.
Representing the Paramount Chief of Nongowa Chiefdom, Speaker Senesie Frank Nyekal told the gathering that the increased rate of malaria lies with the attitude of ordinary people who fail to adhere to the preventive steps initiated by the Ministry of Health. He said that the government is doing its bit to bring the nets for the people free of cost, but they prefer to use them for fishing, some as fences for their domestic fowls while others use them on football goalposts.
He emphasized that they will institute by-laws as local authorities on the misuse of the nets.
’’Anybody caught misusing the treated mosquito nets in Nongowa chiefdom will be dealt with seriously,” he warned.
The Chairman of the Inter-religious Council in Kenema, Alhaji Sheku Kamara assured the DHMT and the Ministry that the religious body will continue to disseminate the correct messages to their followers on how to use the bed nets. He advised everyone to use them for their intended purpose to help save more lives.
The Team Lead of the bed nets distribution process from the National Malarial Control Programme, Esther Foray assured that new lactating mothers and pregnant women who were not fortunate enough to be registered will be given the nets as long as they visit the hospital.
In his keynote address, the Minister of State East, Gbessay Jusu Ngobeh told the gathering that protecting them from diseases shows the commitment and determination of a good and responsible government that cares for the health of its citizens. He believed that with the several advice given to the people and the measures being put in place, they would no longer misdirect the use of the bed nets as good health brings development to every community.
He advised the medical team to put stringent measures in place to make sure that those distributing the nets do not conspire to steal them and send them to other countries, leaving citizens to suffer.
Ngobeh urged the security sector to be vigilant in monitoring all crossing points and checkpoints, especially at night, to stop people from trying to take the nets to other countries.
He assured the DHMT that the request they made for the paving of the hospital compound would be communicated to the appropriate authorities in charge. The symbolic distribution of the first treated bed net to a pregnant woman climaxed the event.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (26/02/24)
