Cross River State government has begun the distribution of 2.79 million insecticide treated net (ITN) to residents to check malaria prevalence and deaths caused by mosquitoes.
The commissioner for health, Dr Janet Ekpenyong disclosed this during a media orientation held on Monday ahead of 2023 insecticide treated net (ITNs) campaign in the state.
Ekpenyong stated that the government has concluded arrangement for deployment of about 13,570 persons, including ad-hoc and health staff to volunteer in the sensitisation and distribution of bed treated nets to step down malaria prevalence in the state.
She stated that malaria is among the diseases which has remained a life-threatening disease and a big challenge for the state government to handle.
“Before these nets would be distributed, registration of households would be conducted to know exactly the number of persons who is making use of the mosquitoes.
“A representative of the household is expected to go to distribution point written on their e-net cards to collect free nets.”
Ekpenyong warned that the ITN must be aired or hung outside for 24 hours before fixing it on the bed for use.
The commissioner said the prevalence of malaria is deadly and more in the state due to huge forests, bodies of stagnant waters, harbours, dirty environment and blocked drainage which make mosquitoes to thrive stressing that the state government is committed to doing everything within its power to step down the incidents.
While stressing on the importance of mosquito-treated nets, the health commissioner warned against poor environmental behaviour and called for attitudinal change by residents of the state.
He urged the residents of the state particularly those residing in the urban centres to desist from polluting and littering the environment with filth urging both urban and rural dwellers to keep their households clean and ensure that they sleep under the nets at all times.
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