Christian, Muslim clerics unite to combat malaria in Ekiti

IN a demonstration of solidarity, over 200 religious leaders from across the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State mobilized against Malaria in Ado Ekiti at a training programme organized as part of efforts at eliminating malaria in the State.

The spiritual leaders consisting of both Christian and Islamic clerics unanimously condemned religious violence, stressing the need for unity of purpose and sustaining the thrust towards Malaria Elimination in the State.

Speaking while flagging off the training programme organized by the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and The Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association (NIFAA), the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo reiterated the commitment of the Fayose led administration to ensuring a healthy environment that can boost of an affordable, assessable and qualitative Health Care delivery.

The Commissioner who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi highlighted progress made so far in malaria control to include the distribution of 1,419,416 Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs) in conjunction with the Federal Government adding that 15 designated Primary Health Care Facilities in each of the 16 Local Government Areas have been fully equipped and staffed to conduct medical tests as well as treat patients for malaria free of charge.

Describing the training as pertinent and very germane to the task of ridding the State of malaria, the Commissioner noted that government alone couldn’t achieve the onerous goal, emphasizing the importance of sensitizing the people on the consequence of not patronizing the available Health Care facilities and proper utilization of the distributed LLI nets.