In parts of the Niger Delta especially Delta and Bayelsa states, various groups are intensifying efforts towards eradicating malaria scourge. JOY EMMANUEL reports on one of such initiatives.
The Rotary Club International of Maple Grove, Minnesota, USA, in collaboration with their counterparts of Agege Districts in Lagos State and Ughelli in Delta State have partnered to bring succour to malaria affected persons in malaria prone areas in the Niger Delta region.
They started by commencing with communities and farm settlements in Patani local government area of Delta state which are the most vulnerable due to the ravaging effects of flood in the area.
Initiators speak
Speaking on the essence of the programme tagged, ‘Zero Malaria Initiative in Patani’ the coordinator, Chief Jennifer Borel, president Rotary Club of Maple Grove, Minnesota said the initiative is one of the many rotary medical and life changing interventions carried out for the benefits of mankind especially the poor and vulnerable across the globe by Rotary International.
According to her, the Niger Delta region, Patani inclusive, has high humidity levels which causes rainfall resulting in flood as a result of which people are displaced from their homes and farm settlements. She said the resultant effects of the flooding, amongst other things, is a breeding ground for mosquitoes which causes malaria and other health challenges thereby endangering the lives of the people of the region especially in Patani local government area of Delta state which was one of the worst affected areas in the 2022 flood.
Speaking further, Chief Jennifer said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified that Nigeria has a burden of over 51 million persons affected by malaria with over 207,000 deaths recorded annually especially in the Niger Delta region due to the terrain of the area.
According to her, it was these facts that necessitated Rotary International to take a cursory look into the menace of malaria in the region with particular interest in Patani which was the worst flood hit area, as according to her, the initiative would be extended to other areas of the region in due course.
The initiative which was initially slated to run for 12 months was extended to 17 months due to the flood situation which made some communities inaccessible. The programme was kick-started with the initial training of community based volunteers (CBVs) who went door-to-door in the communities for awareness creation supervised by the Patani primary healthcare and fully catered for by Rotary International.
The essence of the programme was to conduct free malaria and eye test, provisions of free malaria drugs, treated mosquito nets as well as provisions of medicated glasses to those with defective eye-sights while serious cases were referred to primary health centres.
Locals speak
Commenting on the conduct of the programme, the Patani health educator and promotion officer, Mrs Cynthia Amiete who served as community based supervisor (CBS) in the Zero Malaria Initiative said over 20,000 persons were tested for rapid diagnosis test malaria (RDT) and those infected were treated while serious cases were referred to primary health centres for treatment.
According to her, over 36 community based volunteers (CBVs) were trained, equipped with malaria test kits and drugs and sent to communities and farm settlements in Patani, stating that within the period of 17 months which the programme lasted, there was no record of death as a result of malaria attack from the communities and settlements.
She particularly commended Chief Jennifer and Rotary International for the initiative while appealing that the programme be extended to other local governent areas in Delta as well as other Niger Delta states.
According to her, the programme has created awareness on health-related matters in Patani LGA as other ailments discovered were sent to referral centres for treatment. She stated that the benefits of the programme is enormous and cannot be over-emphasized. She also praised the various communities and farm settlements visited for their peaceful dispositions and adherence to medical advice.
Also speaking, one of the community based volunteer trainees (CBT) Mrs Abukoye Benalayefa on behalf of the trainees thanked Chief Jennifer and Rotary International for their magnanimity, stressing that the training has given them the required knowledge of this deadly malaria disease and the stipend received within the 17 month-period went a long way to assisting families. The drugs, she said, were effective and that the communities and settlements are still yearning for more.
In his remarks, the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, HRM Peremobowei Shadrack Erebulu, commended the Zero Malaria Initiative and thanked the Rotary International for their collaboration to save lives in his kingdom.
According to him, the feedback he got from the initiative is impactful and very positive as the beneficiaries throng his palace on a daily basis calling for the sustainability of the programme.
The Royal Majesty added that during the flood, Chief Jennifer donated free drugs and palliatives to those who were displaced both in the creeks and farm settlements especially those who were infected with malaria.
In appreciation for the humanitarian services, the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom conferred on her the title of ‘Izonebidora of Kabowei Kingdom’ which means ‘Daughter of the Kingdom who Seeks the Good and Benefits of Ijaw nation’.
Speaking on his administration of Kabowei Kingdom, HRM Shadrack Erebulu said Kabowei Kingdom cuts across Delta and Bayelsa states with diverse cultures, customs and traditions thereby bringing people of different cultures together.
However, as a traditional ruler who is the custodian of customs and culture, he had to revive the age-long annual cultural festival which acts as a unifying factor among Delta and Bayelsa communities of Kabowei kingdom. He advised traditional rulers not to dabble into politics as they are not political leaders but custodians of customs and tradition.
