By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday, said the only way to stop or delay malaria is to use the insecticide mosquito nets as distribution of treated nets will be done to registered households across the state.
The governor said the fight against malaria never stops, while flagging-off the distribution of over five million treated nets that wil be distributed to registered households across the state from July 7 to 18.
Governor el-Rufai said that part of the government’s effort to sensitize the people is through the chairmen of local government areas, as the message will go down to the grassroots, by any means necessary, through the means of media and community engagement.
He said the mosquito nets are treated such that when mosquitoes come near them, they die and as such, it fully protects users from mosquito bites.
“Consequently, we will continue to do this engagement at every level to get people to accept the use of mosquito nets,” he assured.
Speaking on the health sector, he said that next year, their government has a ticket of continuity and he is confident that the people of Kaduna State will vote for that ticket, so that everything continues, optimistic that the current policies will be sustained and improved upon.
“But where there’s any mistake or error that we have seen in the last seven years, it will be corrected,” he assured.
He noted that, the deputy governor has been there for four years, before then, she was Primary Healthcare Board boss, while Senator Uba Sani, All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearers was Political Adviser in his first term.
“He has spent the last three years in the Senate, so, it is a ticket of continuity. Most of the people you see by the grace of God, will still be here next year to continue the work,” he pointed out.
el-Rufai tasked communities, local government areas administrators, village and district heads to be part of this effort to give the state a healthy environment.
“We are enhancing the capacity of the Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA) to enforce environmental regulations.
“They will soon be going to houses. We are going to bring back the ‘Duba Gari’s’ kind of inspection that will go to people’s houses and ensure they are clean and those that dump refuse outside houses.
“Therefore, those found wanting will be appropriately prosecuted and fined. We intend to do that, it is a combination of actions. Sanitation is key, preventing clogging of drainages is key, using insecticide treated nets is important.
“However, as well as the vaccines for malaria that has now been produced, we hope to get that as soon as possible for the infants in Kaduna State,” he assured.
