LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Osun State is set to distribute nearly 2.9 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to households across its communities, aimed at reducing malaria infections, particularly among children and vulnerable residents in high-risk areas.
The large-scale campaign is being carried out by the Osun State Government in partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Catholic Relief Services, the Society for Family Health, and other malaria-focused organizations.
Funding for the major public health effort is being provided by the Global Fund Malaria initiative.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Logistics Advisor for the campaign, Simeon Ibvori, said the new mosquito nets would replace those distributed during the previous campaign in 2023.
He explained that the 2,897,443 insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) are already being moved from the state warehouse to local government distribution stores before reaching designated distribution hubs across Osun.
The Logistics Advisor noted that the campaign will place special attention on rural communities where malaria remains a significant health threat.
“A total of 2,897,443 ITNs will be distributed to the people of Osun State. The objective of the ITN mass campaign is to ensure that for every 2 people, there is one bed net to sleep under. We do this every three years, and this campaign is to replace the nets we gave out in 2023. After collecting the nets, residents must air them under a shade for 24 hours before hanging and sleeping inside,” he said.
Malaria continues to pose a serious risk to young children, pregnant women, and families living in areas with high mosquito populations.
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Health experts regard insecticide-treated nets as one of the most effective tools for preventing mosquito bites that transmit the disease.
Furthermore, Ibvori urged residents to take advantage of the free distribution exercise once it begins.
He stressed that the mosquito nets are meant strictly for personal use and should not be sold.
“I want to appeal to the good people of Osun State to go out once the distribution has started to collect their net. The idea is to replace the new nets with the old ones. The nets are meant to be used and not for sale. It is free of charge. The residents should also respect the health workers during the distribution and allow them to do their job. They have been trained and are fully equipped with the right information,” Ibvori added.
The upcoming campaign follows a similar exercise conducted in 2023, during which approximately 3.68 million insecticide-treated nets were distributed across the state.
Providing further insight into the malaria prevention programme, Osun State Manager of the Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Olufemi Oroge, said the initiative has achieved significant reach over the years.
Speaking at a one-day media orientation organized by the Society for Family Health in collaboration with the Osun Ministry of Health, he revealed that more than 200 million mosquito nets have been distributed since the programme began.
The health advocate also noted that the lifespan of insecticide-treated nets ranges from one to four years, making periodic replacement necessary to maintain effective protection against malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Notably, with the new distribution exercise set to reach communities across Osun, health authorities hope increased access to treated mosquito nets will strengthen malaria prevention efforts, reduce infections among children, and save more lives throughout the state.
