Sokoto Govt, USAID To Distribute 3.1m Mosquito Nets

Sokoto State government in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and with support of United States President’s Malaria Initiative, have commence preparation ahead of the distribution of 3.1 million Insecticides Treated Nets (ITN) across the twenty three local government areas.

The state commissioner for health, Dr Ali Inname, stated this at a one- day media parley on insecticide treated net distribution campaigns organised by Sokoto State Malaria Elimination Agency (SOSMEA) in collaboration with USAID Breakthrough-ACTION Nigeria.

Inamme said the training was organised to provide an avenue for media to sensitise the general public on the importance of using insecticide treated nets to reduce the burden of malaria.

The commissioner represented by the director general, Sokoto State Malaria Elimination Agency, Dr Muslimu Gobir, said over three million insecticide treated nets would be distributed to households across the state in October.

While household mobilisation and registration for the net card is slated for October 1 to 9, 2022, distribution of free nets will start from 21st to 29th October, where everyone with the net card will go to designated distribution centres written on their cards to collect the free nets.

On his part, the state coordinator USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Dr Abdulrahman Zagga, said the agency had concluded arrangement to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise.

He said, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, was responsible for the trainings, provision of logistics, engagement of all community and stakeholders for the distribution of the insecticide treated nets across the state.

Also, in her presentation, the communication specialist with the USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Fatima Shehu, said over 31 million estimated cases of malaria occur annually in Nigeria.