By Charles Nwabardi
ACOMIN has called on members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council to support through their reportages in the creation of awareness and sensitization of Deltans on the dire need to make good use of the free malaria treatment Programme in some designated Primary Health Centres nearest to them.
The appeal was made on Tuesday during ACOMIN’s Media briefing at the NUJ Temporary Press Centre in Asaba, the State Capital.
Briefing the Press on the activities of ACOMIN , Sir Austin Uwede, State PROGRAMME Officer of ACOMIN Delta State said that malaria is a scourge that must be eliminated especially in Nigeria which the World Malaria Report has pointed out as highest.
Uwede noted that the re-engagement of ACOMIN by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the main recepient of the Malaria Grant has yielded results.
According to the ACOMIN State PROGRAMME Officer, eight Local Government Areas in Delta State: Isoko North, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Sapele, Patani, Ndokwa West, Aniocha South and Oshimili South are being covered presently by the activities of ACOMIN.
He said that despite efforts by govenment and other Agencies in the past in the areas of provision of Long lasting insecticide treated nets, deployment of Voluntteers to carry out Interpersonal Communication at grassroots level, provision of free malaria test kits and others, Nigeria still has challenges confronting malaria intervention.
Some of the challenges mentioned by Uwede are: Insecurity and drug resistant malaria.
The State Programmes Officer, however, mentioned some of the interventions and supports made to some Health Centres in the State by ACOMIN: provision of plastic chairs, solar power, generators, table and chairs.
Others are: Increased patronaged, donation of hospital. equipment worth 1m Naira.
ACOMINDelta State Chairman, Pastor Greg Sifo, who was also present at the Press Briefing craved the Indulgence of the Press in the disseminate of free malaria treatment.
Mrs Momah Mercy, the Strategic Behavior Change Communication Specialist of Society for Family Health while taking her turn to speak charged journalists in the State to use their media to publicize the free malaria treatment in order to create greater awareness and patronage.
The Delta State Council NUJ Chairman, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu
advised them to jettison selective Media syndrome as embracing all Mass Media will help them in realizing their goals.
The Chairman further urged them to always make a budget for the Media as it will help them achieve their objectives.
The Press briefing was attended by many Stakeholders on the fight against malaria.