From Dispatch Room
The Oyo State Government, through the State Primary Health Care Board, has commemorated the 2026 World Malaria Day with activities aimed at increasing public awareness, promoting prevention, and reducing malaria cases across communities in the state.
The commemoration, themed “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” featured an awareness rally, free malaria testing, and distribution of free antimalarial drugs to residents, especially vulnerable groups.
The event attracted health professionals, community leaders, stakeholders, women groups, youths and residents who joined the campaign against malaria.
During the rally, participants moved through major parts of the community with placards and sensitised residents on environmental sanitation, hygiene, and the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Residents also received free malaria screening and treatment services, while health workers provided counselling and health education.
Speaking at the rally, Dr. Abiodun Akande, Director of Special Duties, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, urged residents to remain vigilant in the fight against malaria.
He advised them to dispose of waste properly, clear drainage channels around their homes, and avoid practices that encourage mosquito breeding.
Akande also encouraged residents to use Primary Health Care facilities in their communities for testing, treatment and other essential healthcare services.
The Malaria Desk Officer, Mrs. Grace Omobolanle Dotun-Fasasi, urged pregnant women to register and attend antenatal clinics regularly at the nearest Primary Health Care facilities.
She said early healthcare intervention and routine medical checkups remain important in protecting mothers and children from malaria-related complications.
Dotun-Fasasi also encouraged women and caregivers to take advantage of government healthcare programmes available across Primary Health Care centres in the state.
The government said the commemoration reflected its commitment to quality healthcare delivery, disease prevention and protection of vulnerable populations.
— Newspot Nigeria
