Nonye Soludo, the wife of the Governor of Anambra State, has launched an initiative focused on combating malaria in the state, emphasising the need for collective responsibility and active community participation to eradicate the disease.
Her remarks come amid global efforts focused on strategies to eliminate this deadly illness.
In a statement released in Awka, Mrs Soludo emphasized Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s malaria-endemic nations, underscoring the urgent need for intensified action to fight the disease. She highlighted the importance of using insecticide-treated nets, revealing that since the beginning of 2023, over 3.8 million free insecticide-treated nets have been distributed to households and public health facilities across the state.
“This year’s World Malaria Day theme, ‘Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, reimagine, reignite,’ captures the essence of our mission.
“We must act swiftly; every action we take is crucial, Mrs Soludo said.
Referencing a World Health Organization report, the Governor’s wife noted that malaria continues to claim an estimated one life every minute, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Africa. She expressed deep concern over these statistics, urging immediate and coordinated efforts to reduce the disease’s impact.
“While the government is committed to improving access to treatment and prevention, we must also engage in community actions and promote healthy household habits to mitigate malaria risk,” she added.
Furthermore, Mrs Soludo urged stakeholders, including parents, educators, and religious leaders, to collaborate on immunisation efforts. With Anambra State preparing for the 2025 World Immunisation Week, she announced an ambitious target to improve vaccination coverage for children aged zero to fifteen months.
“This exercise is vital. I urge all sectors—parents, schools, and religious institutions—to raise awareness and facilitate follow-ups for immunisation. Women leaders from our 179 communities and 326 political wards must rise to this call.
“The responsibility to protect our children from vaccine-preventable diseases is non-negotiable. Their lives are as essential as the future we envision for them. Let’s take on this task as a sacred duty. Thank you, and may God bless you all,” she stated.
