Abia to distribute over 3 million insecticide-treated nets

Abia State Government, with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), will distribute 3.03 million insecticide-treated nets across the state’s 17 local government areas.

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The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing reporters on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.

Mr Kanu ‌‌‍‌‍⁠⁠‌‍‍⁠‍‌said the distribution, valued at more than ₦1 billion, was part of the government’s efforts to reduce malaria-related illnesses and deaths.

He said Abia had not conducted a mass distribution campaign for insecticide-treated nets since 2010, making the planned exercise significant in strengthening malaria prevention efforts.

The commissioner described the planned distribution as timely, saying it would strengthen the state’s efforts to reduce the malaria burden and protect residents from preventable infections.

He said the Ministry of Health was collaborating with NMEP to implement the insecticide-treated nets campaign across the state’s 17 local government areas.

Mr Kanu also announced that the Community Supported Health Insurance Programme would formally inaugurate its scheme for the Abiriba community on 16 September, expanding access to healthcare coverage.

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He said 1,000 members of the community would be enrolled in the health insurance programme through the support of Abiriba Improvement Union, which would fund their initial participation.

Mr Kanu urged other community improvement unions across the state to emulate the Abiriba Improvement Union by supporting the enrolment of their members in the health insurance programme.

He said each enrolment cost ₦18,000, translating to an initial investment of ₦18 million for the 1,000 beneficiaries under the community-supported health insurance initiative.

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The commissioner said that total enrolment in the state’s health insurance scheme had risen to 270,739, indicating increasing participation in the government’s healthcare financing programme.

He said the figure reflected growing confidence among residents in the health insurance programme and its capacity to improve access to affordable healthcare services across Abia.

Mr Kanu further said the state recruitment portal remained open for applications to fill positions for medical consultants, medical officers and dental officers in government health facilities.

He said the recruitment was part of the Abia State Government’s efforts to ensure that its health facilities were adequately staffed with qualified health professionals to improve service delivery.

(NAN)