In commemoration of the World Malaria Day marked April 25, the Ikorodu General Hospital has called on all citizens to prevent malaria by adopting good environmental hygiene.
It said that the procurement of insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) to prevent mosquito bites alongside environmental sanitation will prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
It also warned that testing be done before the use of anti-malaria drugs to prevent drug resistance.
According to the Consultant, Public Health Physician, Dr. Yetunde Odusolu, she ascribed poor environmental sanitation as the reason for the exponential spread of malaria in the country.
“We can eliminate malaria when we adopt the many prongs approach that ensures that mosquitoes are eliminated which is includes maintaining good standards of environmental hygiene and the use of ITNS, ” she said.
This year’s theme is “Harness Innovation To Reduce The Malaria Disease Burden and Save Lives.”
The hospital conducted a health talk on Malaria prevention at the various departments of the hospital with free malaria tests conducted and Arthemether Combination Therapy(ACT) treatments given to those who tested positive.
The hospital also gave out free insecticides treated nets to participants such as pregnant women and children under the age of five.