Panafricare donates 900,000 ACTs,RDT SP commodities to fight malaria in Abia.

Panafricare donates 900,000 ACTs RDTs to fight malaria in Abia

By: Sam Obinna Ibe
Umuahia.

In a bid to fight malaria ,
Panafricare , a Non State Actor implementing the World Bank Malaria Impact has delivered 900,000 of various malaria Commodities for distribution to the 292 Ward Health Centres across the Seventeen local government areas of Àbia State.

It could be recalled that
Impact Project is a Federal Government initiative under the World Bank Loan to support States to fight malaria.

As a matter of fact, Governor Alex Otti on October , 2023 in collaboration with Panafricare as partner flagged off the project in Abia State to address malaria related morbidity.

In 2021, health facilities in the State reported over 500,000 cases malaria accounting malaria related morbidity particularly among vulnerable groups such as children under five years and pregnant women.

Speaking during the flagging off ceremony , Thursday during the distribution of the malaria Commodities that include ACTs, RDTs , SP etc, at the State Central Medical Store in Umuahia, the Country
Director of Panafricare Dr Patrick Adah said the State was one of the States that expressed interest in the project having fulfilled conditions to participate which includes the engagement of Panafricare for full implementation of the project.

According to the country director, the partnership between the State government had began with the distribution of insecticide treated bed , prompt diagnosis and treatment with artemisimin based combination therapies and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women as well as health education campaigns to raise awareness.

He described the event as remarkable as the commodities will be distributed free of any charges and made available to all the primary health facilities where they are needed.

Dr Adah disclosed that the decision to distribute the commodities through the Health Secretaries of the 17 Local Government Areas. is to ensure that it gets to those that needs them, “We will be monitoring the distribution and usage to ensure it is not diverted, we will hold you responsible if we discover that it was diverted” he reminded them.

In her brief remarks, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Health, Dr Ngozie Azodoh , represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeanyinwa Blossom Uma Kalu, commended Panafricare for working and partnering with the State government and other partners in the fight against malaria, “We have been achieving great result through this partnership and the narratives are changing”

She advised staff that would be in charge of distribution not to corner the commodities under thier care but should utilize it for the purpose they were distributed

In his brief remarks, the State Project Manager of Impact Project, Comrade Arua Obasi thanked Governor Otti for his support and encouragement as a fight against malaria is a fight for everyone which collectively will be won

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