The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH) and supported by the Global Fund Malaria, has launched an extensive campaign to mobilize residents for the distribution of 3.1 million insecticide-treated nets. The distribution campaign, scheduled to begin on November 18, aims to enhance malaria prevention efforts across the state.
In a discussion with “PUNCH Online” on Monday, Mr. Oladeji Julius, the Insecticide Treated Nets Mass Campaign Coordinator for Ijebu North Local Government, shared progress updates on the mobilization efforts. “The exercise started on October 31 and continued till Wednesday, November 6. For Ijebu North Local Government, we have 752 communities to cover out of which we have reached out to 356,” he said.
Julius further reported that 47,363 out of an estimated 78,279 households in the local government area have received new net collection cards, marking approximately 59% coverage.
Julius advised residents to handle their net cards carefully, especially preserving the QR code area, and to follow scheduled dates for net collection. “Before using these nets, they should spread and air them under a shade for 24 hours, and when they are dirty, they should wash them with mild soap, not highly concentrated detergent. The nets should not be washed more than two or three times in a year at most,” he added.
Additional coordinators reported on the campaign’s coverage in their respective areas. In Ijebu North East, ITN Coordinator Rapheal Izi confirmed that 14,890 out of 24,900 households had been mobilized, achieving 60.2% coverage, and noted that 119 out of the targeted 273 communities have been reached.
He assured residents that the remaining areas would be covered before the campaign concludes on Wednesday.
Mr. Abiodun Rafiu, the coordinator for Ijebu East Local Government, indicated that 146 out of 265 mapped communities had been reached, with 90 fully covered. “We have mobilized over 20,000 households out of 39,537 targeted,” Rafiu stated, acknowledging some challenges with network connectivity in remote areas affecting data retrieval from certain wards.
In Ijebu Ode, Coordinator Julia Bienose reported a 65% mobilization success, reaching 28,100 households across 285 out of 500 settlements. Bienose expressed appreciation for the residents’ cooperation and encouraged them to adhere to the guidelines for collection and proper usage of the nets.
John Shaibu, Ogun Waterside Coordinator, also provided an update, stating that 15,835 out of 26,171 targeted households have been mobilized, with efforts ongoing to cover the remaining areas before the campaign ends.
