Report from Ministry of Defence.
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, Aliyu Isma’ila have said that the Ministry remains highly committed to the preventive and rehabilitative health care of its service personnel, members of their families and both civilian and military.
The Permanent Secretary said this at the commemoration of the 2014 World Malaria Day, Community Outreach Programme in Mambila Barracks.
According to him, the establishment of the Ministry of Defence’s Malaria Control Programme about a year ago, is a clear demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment towards effective control and elimination of malaria.
The Permanent Secretary called on the Barracks Community to avail itself the ample opportunity of the free medicare, treated mosquito nets and health lectures to be able to manage the scourge of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Isma’ila used the opportunity to commend the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Society for Family Health (SFH) for their continual support.
Earlier, the Coordinator, National Malaria Eradication Programme, Dr. Nnenna Ezekwe, said that the quest to eradicate malaria should be the business of all citizens, adding that it should start with our immediate environment. He said, “If this is done, malaria will soon become a thing of history in Nigeria.”
In a remark, Director Medical Services, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Uche Ikoku appreciated the Minister for creating an enabling environment for the Medical Services Department to function.
She further said that the Ministry’s community outreach programme to Mambila Barracks is in line with the 6th Millennium Development Goal (MDG) that is primarily aimed at curbing AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) globally.
She said that the Ministry of Defence’s Medical Department through its Malaria Control Programme has embarked on several control measures such as sensitization/awareness creation programmes, aimed at addressing the myths and misconception about malaria.
Commodity distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) to families and over 60,000 doses of anti-malarial drugs have been distributed free to military-owned health facilities in FCT and Lagos. The Ministry, the Director of Medical Services said, still hopes to intensify efforts to reach out to other States.
She reported that in 2013, the malaria control programme successfully carried out Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) of houses and 403 Electronic Maintenance Depot Barracks, in Shasha, Lagos. She promised that their outreach this year, 2014, will surpass that of previous efforts.
The host, Commanding officer of the Brigade’s Medical Centre, Lt. Col. Egbo appreciated the gesture being extended to the Garrison by the Ministry of Defence’s Medical Services Outreach Programme.
He said that with this gesture coupled with the efforts of the Brigade Medical Centre, in no time, most Barracks will be totally rid of the malaria scourge.
Lectures were given on topics such as basic facts about HIV & AIDS by Dr. Oladejo Omola; an Overview of Tuberculosis by Dr. Omonigho G. and Malaria, presented by Dr. Chima.
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