Communities in Delta State have been called upon to strengthen Community Health Development Committees to drive household-level for malaria prevention through improved net use , encouraging early testing and improving health education within the communities.
The State Programme Officer of a Civil Society Organization on Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) project, Sir Austin Uwede stated this in Asaba during a media briefing on the Global Fund Malaria Community -Led Monitoring project being implemented in the state by ACOMIN.
Uwede also stated that private sector should recognize malaria as a productivity issue and support Insecticide Treated Malaria campaigns, health facility improvements and health worker training through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) .
Uwede said that the role of the media was key towards proper reorientation community leaders and stakeholders on the need for them to take ownership of the primary healthcare facilities in their communities by contribute their quota so as to achieve effective healthcare services.
He highlighted the successes recorded in the ACOMIN’s project to include rehabilitation of water pumping machine at a Primary Healthcare Centre(PHC) in Ughelli South, the restoration of electricity and donation of plastic chairs at Jeddo PHC in Okpe by the community, facilitated the ejection of illegal occupants of staff quarters at Owhelogbo PHC in Isoko North and the donation of BP apparatus by the community as well as donation of waste bins by an Okada rider to Isheagu General Hospital in Aniocha South .
He asserted that with media collaboration with ACOMIN in creating more awareness on the benefits of ACOMIN’s intervention in the healthcare facilities, community leaders would embrace the intervention for the good of their communities.
In his opening remarks, the Delta State Chairman of ACOMIN, Pastor Greg Sifo said that the media briefing was a veritable platform to reflect on the progress made so far , the strategies that they must continue to deploy to ensure that no community was left behind in what ACOMIN was doing in the State.
While stating that the media helps to mobilize community members for meetings , workshops and collective activities, announces volunteer opportunities and encourages participation in decision making, Pastor Sifo explained that the media was crucial on informing communities about health issues including malaria prevention and vaccination campaigns project goals and services .
The State partners including the representative of the State Malaria Elimination Program,(SMEP) Joy Dibashi , the representative of the Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Mrs. Grace Sifo, the representative of the Society for Family Health, Mrs. Mercy Momoh and Mr. Azubuike from the Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency as well as Dr. Yinusa Adekola of the Moslem community in their various goodwill messages lauded ACOMIN for its intervention in the healthcare facilities.
They emphasized the need for every individual to embrace the use of mosquito nets and clear overgrown weeds around their surroundings to prevent malaria, particularly now that the rains were gradually getting to its peak .
On the issue of test kits, Mrs. Sifo said that arrangement had reached advanced stage for the procurement of the kits, recalling that the Agency has carried out advocacy visit to the office of the Secretary to the State Government where the issue of unavailability of test kits in some healthcare facilities was discussed.
Mr. Azubuike mentioned that the state government in partnership with global partners such as the World Bank was carrying out the renovation of PHCs across thet state, assuring that the ones that have not been renovated would soon be renovated.
