By CHIOMA OBINNA
Following the continued wrong perception of Nigerians about incidence of malaria, experts have called for massive awareness campaign on malaria particularly in the rural areas with a view to reducing the scourge of malaria in the country.
To this end, Reckitt Benkiser, makers of Mortein Insecticide has embarked on an 8-week anti-malaria campaign in 75 primary health care and maternal centres in Lagos State.
At a two-day training workshop, the Brand Manager, Mortein Insecticide for Reckitt Benckiser, Mrs. Toyin Yusuf, said the campaign is targeting vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.
It would educate women on how to keep their environment mosquito free,importance of mosquito treated nets among other things.
She said it was necessary to train the health instructors and Roll Back Malaria partners so they could pass on the training at their various primary health care centres.
"We are training 90 people throughout the eight week period of the campaign in Lagos after which we would take the campaign to other states of the country," she added
At least 32,000 new mothers would be given free Mortein insecticide.
The Scientific Service group Coordinator, Research for development, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Uchenna Nwakanma explained that Mortein is composed to meet World Health Organisation standard on toxic substances.
"Toxic Insecticide exposure can cause a variety of adverse health effects which include irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Gastric symptoms such as stomach cramp, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, slowed heart rate and even cancer.
"What we have therefore done with Mortein is to stay away from those hazardous substances because we do not want the insecticides to harm anybody. These women therefore need to know how important it is to use the right insecticide and know how to spray to keep from harm."
Deputy Director, Health Education, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Omowunmi George who reiterated government's determination to make the state malaria free stated that the government was taking the fight against malaria very seriously.
She pledged that the state would continue to collaborate with credible organisations to reduce the incidence of malaria to minimum in the state.
Vanguard Nigeria