Private sectors have been urged to incorporate and consider sponsoring malaria elemination program as part of their corporate responsibility to domicile states considering its effect on the populace .
This among other vital issues formed the basis of discussion by participants at a three day workshop on advocacy drive for effective management of malaria cases in Oyo State, organised by the State’s Malaria Elimination Program team.
The State Commissioner for health, Dr. Bashir Bello, while speaking at the workshop held at the ministry of health, State Secretariat, Ibadan , said the motive of the event was to examine the state of malaria elimination program towards increasing its funding.
Dr. Bello, who spoke through the Director , Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Oyewole Lawal , noted that concerted efforts would be made to strengthen existing health care systems for the benefit of all and sundry .
The commissioner thereafter commended various non governmental organizations for supporting the state malaria elimination program and other life changing programmes .
In his remarks, the representative of Nigerian Interfaith Action Association ( NIFAA), Mallam Muritala Abdul – Rahmon , expressed concern over attitude of the public in dealing with malaria cases , which according to him had led to the death of some carriers .
Mallam Abdul – Rahmon , harped on the need for the malaria team to gather data and design a compelling proposal that would afford private sector to see the need to contribute their quota to treatment of malaria cases as expected .
He admonished participants to fashion out appropriate advocacy tools and intensity efforts where necessary in order to overcome identified challenges .
According to him, ” The public see malaria as less threatening because deaths caused by malaria complications are not been made public , and this affects its funding by concerned authorities ”
” NIFAA is committed to embark on robust social engagement with the religious leaders in the state as well as relevant stakeholders towards eliminating malaria in Oyo state and the country at large ”
In his remarks , Director , Medical Services , State Hospitals Management Board , Dr. Olufemi Adesanya , advised the advocacy team to identify areas that would interest various organizations during advocacy tour .
” Each company has target regarding project to be executed as corporate responsibility . So , we need to be conversant with this and tailor our request in such direction to enhance positive results .
The acting manager, State Malaria Elimination Program, Mrs . Adeleke Elizabeth, while appreciating participants for their contributions to the success of the program, hinted that plans were underway towards providing resonable quantity of mosquito nets for the populace as part of measures put in place by government in eliminating malaria in the community.
Present at the workshop included medical practitioners, representatives of non governmental organisations, religious leaders, finance experts , media practitioners amongst others .
