Moremi Ojudu, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu focusing on Community Engagement, has initiated a campaign called ‘Change the Narrative Now’ with the aim of reducing malaria cases in the Southwest region of Nigeria.
This endeavor, led by the Presidential Community Engagement Office in partnership with Chestrad Global and the Federal Ministry of Health, is geared towards increasing awareness, educating communities, and advocating for preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases.
Wakadaily learnt that, The launch of the campaign took place at the Ago-Egun community in the Iwaya-Makoko area of Lagos State in honor of the upcoming 2024 World Malaria Day, an annual event observed on April 25 each year. The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day is ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’.
According to the information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria is a severe, life-threatening illness presenting symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. As of 2022, WHO has reported a global disease burden of approximately 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths spread across 85 countries.
Notably, Africa bears the brunt of this burden, with around 233 million cases and 580,000 deaths related to malaria.
During discussions about this year’s commemoration, Moremi Ojudu emphasized the critical role of community involvement in eradicating malaria. She stressed that the newly launched campaign signifies a united effort to equip residents with the necessary knowledge and resources to safeguard themselves and their families against the impacts of malaria.
Ojudu mentioned “Malaria continues to affect our communities disproportionately. The ‘Change the Narrative Now’ campaign signifies a concerted effort to empower residents with the knowledge and resources that is needed to protect themselves and their families.
“The campaign encompasses various activities, including community mobilisation to raise awareness about malaria prevention and treatment, distribution of resources, insecticide-treated mosquito nets and sanitation materials.
“Medical personnel were also on-site to provide check-ups and distribute medications. Essential food supplies were also provided to ensure the well-being of residents.”
While emphasizing her commitment to lead in the fight against malaria, Ojudu maintained, “We are confident that through a collaborative approach, we can significantly reduce malaria cases in the Southwest.
“By working together, we can change the narrative and create a healthier future for our communities.
“The ‘Change the Narrative Now’ campaign is a significant step towards achieving a malaria-free Southwest Nigeria. With the combined efforts of the government, international partners, and community members. we can win the fight against this preventable disease.”
