A total of 2,897,443 insecticide-treated mosquito nets will be distributed to households across Osun State as part of the efforts to tackle malaria.
The mass campaign led by the Osun State Government is being executed in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Catholic Relief Services, Society for Family Health, and other malaria partners, with funding support from the Global Fund Malaria.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, the Logistics Advisor for the campaign, Simeon Ibvori, said the new nets would be given out to replace the ones distributed in 2023.
Ibvori, who spoke with journalists on Tuesday, said the insecticide-treated nets were being transported to the distribution hubs after they were moved from the state warehouse to the local government distribution stores across the state.
He added that the distribution will target rural wards where the risk of malaria remains very high.
“A total of 2,897,443 ITNs will be distributed to the people of Osun State. The objective of the ITN mass campaign is to ensure that for every two persons, there is one bed net to sleep inside.
“We do this every three years, and this campaign is to replace the nets we gave out in 2023.
“After collecting the nets, residents must air them under a shade for 24 hours before hanging and sleeping inside,” Ibvori noted.
He urged the residents to collect the nets once the distribution started, adding that the nets are to prevent them from contracting malaria.
“I want to appeal to the good people of Osun State to go out once the distribution starts to collect the nets.
“The idea is to replace the new nets with the old ones. The nets are meant to be used and not for sale. It is free of charge.
“Residents should also respect the health workers during the distribution and allow them to do their job. They have been trained and are fully equipped with the right information,” Ibvori added.
In 2023, about 3.68 million mosquito nets were distributed to households across the state.
Osun State Manager, Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr Olufemi Oroge, made the disclosure during a one-day campaign orientation meeting with selected media practitioners organised by SFHm in conjunction with the state Ministry of Health.
Dr Oroge further disclosed that since the commencement of the malaria elimination programme, over 200 million nets have been distributed, adding that the lifespan of the insecticide-treated nets is between one and four years.