The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Omar Suleiman has affirmed that malaria is one of the biggest problems in Africa which has contributed in no small measure to loss of active man hours amongst the workforce.
The Managing Director made this declaration while flagging off the world Malaria Day organised by the Authority Roll Back Malaria Committee at its Corporate Headquarters in Lagos recently and added that NPA will continue to support all efforts to sustain the war against malaria in all ramifications.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Omar Suleiman has affirmed that malaria is one of the biggest problems in Africa which has contributed in no small measure to loss of active man hours amongst the workforce.
The Managing Director made this declaration while flagging off the world Malaria Day organised by the Authority Roll Back Malaria Committee at its Corporate Headquarters in Lagos recently and added that NPA will continue to support all efforts to sustain the war against malaria in all ramifications.
The year 2012 edition of world malaria day has as its theme; sustaining gains, save lives and invest in malaria, while its significance serves as a wake-up call for policy formulators.
In a welcome address, the Assistant General Manager, Medical Services, Dr. Mrs C.I. Abama disclosed that the ceremony for the commemoration of world malaria day is set aside for community mobilisation, sensitisation and drawing media attention to scourge of malaria, pointing out that the Authority is taking a cue from national and global awareness programme of roll-back malaria.
Dr. Abama said mosquito is the major vendor of malaria parasites which is bred in stagnant water in ponds, containers, pots etc… with children mostly being victims and that if treatment is not administered on time it could lead to death or disability.
However, she commended NPA for setting up a committee that has been responsible for the implementation of malaria control programmes, capacity building and called for synergy among various departments in order to educate the entire work force on the need to take precaution against malaria scourge.
In a good will message, Prof. Wellington Oyibo of the department of the medical parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos congratulated NPA for sustaining the gains of the programme and urged the agency to extend the campaign to host communities in the spirit of corporate social responsibility.
After the short lecture delivered by Mr. Awoyemi Adewale of Harvest Field Nigeria Limited, he demonstrated the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), an application of long lasting insecticide sprays on the wall of the house. He confirmed that IRS is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Highlight of the occasion was the rapid diagnonistic testing of NPA top officials for malaria parasite, road work and seminar.
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