Abia Information Ministry Backs Mass Distribution of Over 3 Million Malaria Nets Across 17 LGAs as State Administration Intensifies Fight Against Malaria

The Abia State Ministry of Information has pledged its full support for the planned mass distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs) across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen malaria prevention and protect vulnerable communities.

The Honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, gave the assurance when a delegation from the Malaria Consortium, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and the Abia State Ministry of Health, paid an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Information in Umuahia.

Prince Kanu welcomed the delegation and expressed the ministry’s readiness to partner with the health authorities and development organisations to ensure the success of the exercise.

He described the engagement as an important example of inter-agency collaboration, stressing that effective partnerships among government institutions, development partners, the media and communities are essential for delivering programmes that have a direct impact on the lives of citizens.

The Commissioner noted that collaboration has remained a key strength of the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, particularly in implementing people-oriented programmes across the state.

He assured the delegation that the Ministry of Information would deploy strategic publicity, media engagement and sustained public enlightenment to ensure that residents are adequately informed about the distribution exercise and understand the importance of collecting and properly using the insecticide-treated nets.

Prince Kanu also emphasised the need for the campaign to reach the grassroots, noting that effective communication would be crucial in addressing misconceptions, improving public understanding and encouraging communities to actively participate in the programme.

He stressed that sensitisation should not be limited to the period of distribution but should continue before, during and after the exercise to promote sustained utilisation of the nets and maximise their impact on malaria prevention.

The Head of Department, Films and Public Enlightenment, Mrs. Chinyere Allison Obiajunwa, also assured the visiting team of the department’s support in driving public awareness for the campaign.

She highlighted the importance of public enlightenment in the success of health interventions, particularly in dispelling misconceptions and encouraging citizens to take ownership of programmes designed to improve their wellbeing.

She further explained that appropriate media and communication channels would be deployed to reach different segments of the population and strengthen community participation.

Earlier, the SBC Advisor of the Malaria Consortium, Mr. Hillary Chukwu, explained that the delegation’s visit was primarily aimed at securing the Ministry of Information’s collaboration in public enlightenment and strategic communication ahead of the mass distribution exercise.

He disclosed that approximately three million and thirty thousand insecticide-treated nets would be delivered for distribution to households and communities across Abia State’s 17 LGAs.

According to him, extensive sensitisation is necessary to ensure that residents understand the importance of the intervention, collect the nets when distribution begins and use them appropriately as a protective measure against malaria.

Mr. Chukwu further stressed that collaboration among the Malaria Consortium, NMEP, the Ministries of Health and Information, the media and community stakeholders would be critical to ensuring that the nets reach their intended beneficiaries.

He called for sustained publicity and grassroots mobilisation, noting that increased awareness and proper utilisation of the nets would contribute significantly to reducing malaria transmission and advancing the broader objective of malaria elimination in Abia State.

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Nkemjika Nneji of the Ministry of Health appreciated Prince Kanu and the management of the Ministry of Information for receiving the delegation and expressing their willingness to support the campaign.

He commended the Malaria Consortium and NMEP for their continued commitment to malaria prevention and control, expressing confidence that the partnership between the relevant agencies would strengthen public awareness and facilitate the successful distribution and utilisation of the nets across the state.

The engagement ultimately reinforced the importance of a coordinated approach to malaria prevention, with stakeholders committing to sustained communication, grassroots mobilisation and community participation to ensure that the intervention delivers maximum benefits to the people of Abia State.