ACPN, AMEN Zone Takes Malaria Campaign to Ojokoro Community

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In commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day, no fewer than 500 participants, comprising artisans, market women, civil servants, teachers and motorcyclists, popularly called ‘Okada riders’, have benefited from the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Alimosho, Meiran, Ekoro and New Oko-Oba (AMEN) Zone’s 2019 World Malaria Day Sensitisation and Awareness programme.

Expressing concern over the prevalence of malaria in the country, the Executive Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Hammed Idowu Tijani, who was represented by the Honourable Supervisor for Health, Hon. Busari Yisa Nosiru, noted that according to the United Nation (UN) declaration, more than 40 percent of the World’s population live in areas where there is risk of contracting malaria, adding that his administration has recorded appreciable success in taking the lead role, towards the healthy living of people in the local council area.

“This has been demonstrated with the reconstruction of Isokan Primary Health Centre, equipped with sophisticated medical equipment and qualified personnel to attend to the medical needs of the people, particularly children and expectant mothers.

“Moreover, our administration has been committed to providing basic drugs with 24 hours efficient and effective service delivery at our various health centres and regular child immunization and breast cancer screening just to mention a few”, he said.

Speaking with Pharmanews, the Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), AMEN Zone, Pharm. Taiwo Adewole, explained that the free medical screening and awareness was organised to have an impact in the community where members of the association are practicing, adding that the community pharmacists were at the programme to showcase their presence to the people of the community as well as to partner with the LCDA in celebrating the World Malaria Day.

Beaming with excitement, he added: “The good news is that people are more enlightened about the precautions to take in order to avoid malaria, and I am happy to tell you that, all the participants cooperated with the speakers, adding that this year’s theme “Zero Malaria Starts With Me” was apt as it is an indication that people need to start working towards malaria prevention, rather than looking for treatment.