Determined to control the spread of malaria in the state, Edo state government has commenced distribution of free treated long lasting mosquito nets across the 18 local governments areas.
Dr. (Mrs.) Cordelia Aiwize, the state commissioner for health, while monitoring the distribution exercise in Benin City, appealed to local government officials and focal persons to ensure that the nets were properly distributed to the advantage of every family in the state.
The commissioner who was at the Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Egor local government areas, frowned at the distribution system in some local government areas, pointing out that the state and federal government have put machinery in motion to ensure that all families get the nets free of charge and with ease.
She enjoined women who were with net tickets to be orderly at the distribution centers so as to ease the job of the health workers, adding that there were enough nets for every family in the state.
Dr. (Mrs.) Aiwize expressed dismay over the choice of private clinics engaged for the distribution of the nets by authorities of Egor local government instead of usingpublic facilities, warning that anyone caught stealing, hoarding or diverting the nets would be handed over to law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, Dr. (Mrs.) Aiwize has restated the state government’s policy of free malaria treatment for both pregnant women and children under five years.
She stated this while declaring open the free medical screening exercise organized by the Ologbo Elite Development Association.
According to the Health Commissioner, the state government has also initiated free eye test and glasses programme for persons from 70 years and above at Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital in Benin.
By Jethro Ibileke, Benin
