The Osun State Government has announced plans to distribute 2,897,443 Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs) to households across the state as part of a renewed effort to reduce malaria infections and improve public health.
The mass distribution campaign is being implemented in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Society for Family Health (SFH), and other malaria intervention partners. The initiative is funded by the Global Fund Malaria Programme.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Logistics Advisor for the campaign, Simeon Ibvori, said the new mosquito nets are intended to replace those distributed to residents during the last campaign in 2023.
According to him, the nets have already been moved from the state warehouse to local government distribution stores and are currently being transported to designated distribution hubs across Osun State.
Ibvori explained that special attention would be given to rural communities and wards where the prevalence of malaria remains high.
“A total of 2,897,443 ITNs will be distributed to the people of Osun State. The objective of the ITN mass campaign is to ensure that for every two people, there is one bed net available for use,” he said.
He noted that the exercise is conducted every three years to replace old and worn-out mosquito nets and maintain effective malaria prevention coverage.
“This campaign is to replace the nets distributed in 2023. After collecting the nets, residents should air them under a shade for 24 hours before hanging and using them,” Ibvori advised.
He urged residents to take advantage of the free distribution exercise and ensure that the nets are used for their intended purpose.
“I want to appeal to the good people of Osun State to go out and collect their nets once distribution begins. The idea is to replace old nets with new ones. The nets are free and are not meant for sale,” he added.
Ibvori also called on residents to cooperate with health workers and volunteers assigned to the exercise, noting that they have been adequately trained to carry out the distribution process.
“The residents should respect the health workers during the distribution and allow them to perform their duties effectively. They have been trained and are equipped with the necessary information,” he said.
Providing additional insights into the state’s malaria control efforts, the Osun State Manager of the Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Olufemi Oroge, disclosed that approximately 3.68 million insecticide-treated nets were distributed across the state during the 2023 campaign.
Dr. Oroge made the disclosure during a one-day campaign orientation meeting for selected media practitioners organised by the Society for Family Health in partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Health.
He further revealed that more than 200 million mosquito nets have been distributed nationwide since the commencement of the malaria elimination programme.
According to him, the lifespan of insecticide-treated mosquito nets ranges from one to four years, depending on usage and maintenance.
Health experts continue to identify the use of insecticide-treated nets as one of the most effective and affordable measures for preventing malaria, particularly among children and pregnant women who remain the most vulnerable to the disease.
The upcoming distribution exercise is expected to strengthen malaria prevention efforts in Osun State and contribute to the broader national goal of reducing malaria-related illnesses and deaths.
