ABUJA – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said on Friday that it has donated about four million insecticide-treated nets to Ebonyi and Cross River.
A statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja said the nets were valued at N2.8 billion.
I quoted USAID Mission Director, Mr Michael Harvey, as saying that the donation was part of the U.S. government’s commitment through the President’s Malaria Initiative to prevent malaria in Nigeria.
“The cost of the bednets, including transportation from the factory to eventual households, is valued at N2.8 billion naira.
“USAID will work closely with Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Program and states malaria elimination programs. Nine other states will also receive bednets in the coming months,” the statement said.
It quoted Harvey as saying that: “bednets bring prevention directly into every Nigerian home.
“It is up to families to hang them, and sleep under them daily to protect themselves and the most vulnerable, especially pregnant women and children under five.”
According to the statement, an estimated 100 million malaria cases and about 300,000 deaths each year make Nigeria the country with the highest malaria burden worldwide.
The statement said malaria also placed a heavy burden on families and national health systems.
It said malaria adversely affects worker’s productivity, drained household incomes, hindered educational development, and perpetuated poverty.
It also said that the greatest burden of the disease usually fell on families who could not afford the proper healthcare, especially those in rural areas.
“U.S. government contribution for malaria prevention in Nigeria since 2010 has totaled N69 billion—benefiting more than 50 million Nigerians.
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“The contributions, together with those of other partners, have dramatically improved coverage of key malaria control interventions.
“This includes the use of treated bednets, indoor spraying, accurate diagnosis, and preventive treatment of pregnant women,” it said. (NAN)
(Guardian)
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