WORLD MALARIA DAY 2010: “Count Malaria Out, Count me In”

The World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva - Switzerland declared 25th April, 2008 as the first WORLD MALARIA DAY. Since then, the world has been celebrating the day annually. The theme for the 2010 World Malaria Day celebration is “Count Malaria Out, Count Me in”

Roll-Back-Malaria is an initiative aimed at reducing and possibly, eradicating Malaria all over the world, especially Africa.  A recently released data by UNICEF (April 2010) puts the number of children killed annually by Malaria in Nigeria at 300,000, an astounding figure you would say.

The Total Nigeria Plc Anti-Malaria Campaign launched on 26th April, 2010 is an initiative in line with the Group directive and also part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. The initiative is expected to run throughout 2010 and beyond. The scope of the campaign  among other things include, sensitization of employees and their families, local communities as  well as our stakeholders on Malaria  control and prevention. Total Nigeria Plc joined the global community to create awareness of this deadly disease and ultimately reduce the spread of Malaria in Nigeria.

The Campaign Launch

The program was simultaneously launched in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

In Lagos, the program had in attendance the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Ministry, Dr. Mrs. Agbe-Davies, the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Kamal Bayewu community leaders, some of the Company stakeholders and a cross-section of the public among other dignitaries.  The Lagos event also witnessed the unveiling of the “Total Anti-Malaria Corner”, a corner dedicated to the management/control of Malaria which will be a permanent feature in all Total Bonjour shops nationwide. Except for Medication, the corner stocks every material required for the control and prevention of malaria.  This is another Total Nigeria Plc's effort to combat malaria in Nigeria.

The Abuja Event had in attendance, from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Technical Assistant to the Honourable Minister Dr. E. Meribole, dealers and customer attendants, a cross section of the public as well as representatives of the National Malaria Control Program, Dr. G. Ntandom.

The Port-Harcourt event had in attendance, representatives of the State Health and Education ministries, members of the public, our stakeholders as well as the Community Leaders.

•           A common feature in the program launch in the three locations is the use of  Total Nigeria plc's networks for the launch of the events.  The target communities were slum neighborhoods which were carefully selected for their vulnerability to mosquito infestation.  Ajegunle in Lagos for instance is a highly vulnerable community with mosquito infestation and malaria infections, hence the choice of that location for such an event.  The same criteria were used in determining the locations in other areas where the program was launched.

•           At each of the launch venue, community environmental fumigation was embarked upon where volunteer staff members in conjunction with Fumigation Companies moved into the communities to fumigate the environs and sensitize the local communities on malaria control and prevention. 

•           During the road shows, Malaria control items such as mosquito treated nets, coartem anti-malaria and the Total insecticides were distributed to members of the public.  Educative hand bills were also handed out.

•           Seven schools nationwide were visited the same day where a team of medical personnel gave health talks on Malaria prevention and control to over 4000 children and their teachers. Mouticator game packs that will both entertain and educate the children on health issues related to malaria, educative hand bills, insecticides as well as snacks and drinks were part of the items given to the children.

•           Guide books on malaria were donated to the library of each school visited.

•           During the launch, Total insecticides were given to the public.  Medical personnel made presentations on the subject of the day “Malaria Control and Prevention”

The launch of the 2010 World Malaria day in these three locations marked the introduction to the second phase of the Malaria initiative by Total Nigeria Plc, a program that will run throughout 2010.