Federal Government has distributed 63 million Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) to households across the country since May 2009.
Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this while flagging off the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week at the Emir of Zazzau’s palace in Zaria.
Chukwu said the nets were to check the spread of malaria among Nigerians.
The minister, who was represented by Dr Philipa Moma, Director of Family Health in the ministry, said the event was part of efforts to rapidly scale-up the coverage and use of LLINs.
Chukwu commended the Kaduna State Government for “showing great political will and commitment to the improvement of health across the state.”
He urged the state government to strive hard toward achieving its initiatives which include the establishment of reference hospitals through upgrading of General Hospitals in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan.
In a goodwill message on behalf of other donor agencies, Dr Sumi Sakai, UNICEF Country Representative, reiterated the readiness of NGOs to partner with Nigeria to eradicate diseases.
She commended the state government for integrating the Week in its annual budgetary provisions for free health services.
In his speech, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, said the flag-off at the palace signified the cordial relationship between traditional rulers and the state government.
In his speech, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, said the flag-off at the palace signified the cordial relationship between traditional rulers and the state government.
The emir, who was represented by the Salanken Zazzau, Dr Bello Abdulkadir, promised to mobilise the traditional institution toward attaining the objective of improving health in the state.
