Members of Ikotun ACPN Walk Against Malaria

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Members of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Ikotun Zone, on 25 April 2019, which was World Malaria Day, embarked on a Walk-Against-Malaria Campaign to Ejigbo Market, to sensitise the traders, artisans and all residents on how to prevent malaria infection.

The ACPN, Ikotun zone, which comprises of Igando, Ejigbo, Abaranje and Egbe sub-zones, commenced the Walk-Against-Malaria from Acorn Pharmacy, Fadu/Ifosh Road, Idimu, and had a brief stopover at the Ile-Iwe Roundabout, a popular junction in the area, before it proceeded to Ejigbo main junction, where it terminated its awareness campaign programme.

While addressing the people of the area, the Director of Information Centre (DIC), ACPN, who is also a practicing pharmacist in the area, Pharm. (Mrs) Bukola Folorunsho, spoke on the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘”Zero Malaria Starts With Me”, emphasised the need for people to be properly enlightened on ways to prevent malaria, rather than looking for the cure.

“We know that malaria is very endemic and very dangerous especially to the young ones and pregnant women. We are here today to sensitize you on the essence of prevention, treatment and total eradication of malaria, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa. We are one of the stakeholders in the industry as community pharmacists and that’s why we are joining the world to celebrate this day,” she said.

Speaking further, Pharm. Folorunsho stressed the need to keep the environment clean and avoid stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed near residences, saying malaria is a disease that is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. She also stated that the disease is life threatening, and that its illness present with flu-like symptoms that include high fever and chills.

Fielding questions from pressmen at the campaign, the Chairman, ACPN, Ikotun Zone, Pharm. Fazazee Taofik, said the association’s motive for organising the programme was to join other well-meaning associations and the world at large to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day, adding that the programme was very important as it was aimed at catching the attention of numerous residents of the area and ensure that they know some relevant things regarding their health.

Speaking in the same vein, the duo of Pharm. Victor Akeju, and Pharm. Isaac Ogunbiyi, the zonal vice-chairman, stressed the need for pharmacists to continue in the advocacy and awareness, saying, “it is our responsibility as one of the foremost healthcare providers in the country to provide counseling and create awareness in every setting we find ourselves, adding that malaria has huge impacts that cut across all sectors; causing a massive burden on health systems.