By Christiana Lot
Plateau State is gearing up to tackle malaria head-on with the distribution of over 2.9 million insecticide-treated nets across its 17 Local Government Areas.
This monumental effort, orchestrated through a partnership between the global health supply chain, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, the State Malaria Elimination Program, and the Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA), is aimed at significantly curbing malaria transmission within the state.
During a recent advocacy visit to PEPSA, Mr. Ndak Kizito, Program Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Program, underscored the significance of this initiative.
“Together, we are embarking on a crucial mission to combat malaria in Plateau State. With the generous donation of over 2.9 million nets from the United States government’s President’s Malaria Initiative, supported by the UK-funded Against Malaria Foundation, we are poised to make a substantial impact in our fight against this deadly disease.”
Kizito also emphasized the pivotal role of vector control in malaria prevention and the collaboration with PEPSA to address environmental factors contributing to disease transmission.
The distribution campaign, slated to be inaugurated by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, is scheduled to commence on April 12th, 2024.
Mr. Godson Kingsley, Team Lead of the ITN Distribution Campaign, stressed the importance of implementing proper waste management strategies due to the potential generation of significant waste during the distribution process.
“We have trained and deployed a dedicated workforce to oversee operations across the 17 local government areas. It’s crucial to manage this waste effectively as it can be recycled to produce other necessary materials,” he emphasized.
Kingsley also highlighted the essential collaboration with PEPSA for waste management, with plans in place to recycle generated waste into useful materials.
In her remarks, Mrs. Anthonia Matsal Shalwal, Director of Administration at PEPSA, expressed readiness to collaborate and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to environmental management.
Mr. Samuel Dapiya, Director-General of PEPSA, commended the collaborative efforts and underscored the importance of waste recycling in mitigating environmental impact. He assured full support from the agency in managing waste generated from the distribution process, emphasizing the government’s dedication to the health and well-being of Plateau State residents.
