Enugu Intensifies Free Malaria Testing, Treatment Campaign
The Enugu State Government has called on stakeholders and development partners to intensify public awareness campaigns on its free malaria testing and treatment initiative aimed at eliminating malaria across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, made the call on Tuesday during a meeting of the State Malaria Technical Working Group held in Enugu.
According to the commissioner, the state government has placed malaria elimination among its major public health priorities, with discussions already receiving attention at the State Executive Council level.
“I task you to bring out brilliant ideas on how we ensure the state’s total malaria elimination through the ongoing campaign on free malaria testing and treatment,” Prof. Ugwu said.
He stressed that the campaign must become widely known across communities, urging residents to make use of nearby Primary Healthcare Centres for free malaria testing and treatment.
“Everybody living in the state must know and practice entering the nearby Primary Healthcare Centres close to them for free testing and, if positive, treatment will commence,” he added.
Also speaking, Prof. Eddy Ndibuagu, a Professor of Community Medicine at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, advocated stronger collaboration with community-based and faith-based organisations to deepen public sensitisation.
He noted that grassroots participation would help residents take ownership of the campaign and strengthen advocacy efforts at the community level.
The Director of Public Health in the state, Dr. Uchenna Okenwa, said environmental cleanliness and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites remained essential to reducing malaria transmission.
He explained that tackling mosquito larvae within residential environments would complement ongoing testing and treatment efforts.
The State Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Adaeze Ugwu, commended stakeholders and partners for their commitment to developing practical strategies for malaria elimination.
“WHO will continue to give its support and ensure all necessary assistance is given,” she said.
In a separate message, Mr. Ozioma Nwobodo, the State Coordinator of Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting behavioural change communication and public sensitisation, particularly among pregnant women and their families.
The Programme Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Ifeoma Otiji, said the meeting provided stakeholders an opportunity to review existing challenges, identify gaps, and strengthen coordination in the fight against malaria.
She emphasised the need for a unified approach among stakeholders to ensure the success of the free malaria testing and treatment campaign across the state.
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