Rivers State government is to build two more Model Health Centres in Abonnema and Abisse communities in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
The Chairman of the Local Government Area Mr. Theodore Georgewill said this during the 2013 world malaria day celebration “tagged invest in the future defeat malaria” in Abonnema the Local Government Headquarters.
He appealed to medical officers to ensure that the people of Akuku-Toru benefited from the free medical care programme of the State, he advised them to ensure a healthy and clean environment, to help in the drive to eradicate malaria.
Mr. Georgewill assured that the council will always partner with relevant agencies to wipe out the malaria scourge in our communities.
He commended the Medical Health Officer in charge of Akuku-Toru and his team for their high level of commitment in the discharge of their duties.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Dr. Alfred Esede, the Medical Health Officer in charge of the area, stated that the target of the ”World Malaria Day” celebration is to have a healthy and productive future free of ill health by reducing infant mortality and mobility, improve maternal health and combat malaria.
Dr. Esede, added that basic issue such as keeping our environment and drainages clean will help to check and reduced the spread of mosquito parasites.
He advocated the use of the long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the free medical programme of the state government, that is available in all the health centres in the LGA.
Dr. Esede advised the people to access the health centres once symptom are observed, to utilize the rapid diagnostic test for quick medical attention.
He called on Chiefs, Elders, Youths and Women leaders to embark on advocacy and sensitization programmes in their various communities to enable their people understand the implications of keeping unhealthy and dirty environments.
