At least 35 people, including six journalists and religious and community leaders, were among the task team members inaugurated recently to pilot the war against malaria with the theme: "Zero Malaria Starts With Me", in Niger State.
The committee members were officially inaugurated during a two-day intensive meeting held at the conference hall of the Haske Hotel, Minna.
The task team committee members were sworn in by the Head of Advocacy of the National Malaria Elimination Programmes (NMEP), Mr. Raphael Onyilo.
The head of advocacy therefore charged the task team to not only discuss achievements of the past but also take the assignment as a challenge and ensure that malaria diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies were adhered to by all persons, as well as focus on the use of mosquito nets.
While noting that malaria is a killer disease that has claimed the lives of many pregnant women and children below the age of nine, he warned that people should always go for a diagnosis because there are different feverish conditions.
He therefore urged the task team members, especially the media, to ensure that this year's fight against malaria elimination campaign programmes reach the nooks and crannies of the state.
The head of advocacy for the national malaria elimination programmes therefore appealed to the team members to reach out to the state government, well-to-do individuals, and political office holders.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Public Health at the Niger State Ministry of Primary Healthcare, Dr. Idris Ibrahim, advised the general public to always go for medical diagnosis or check-ups at dispensaries closer to them instead of taking any malaria drug without a prescription. The director also appreciated the turnout of the invited personalities to organise the meeting despite the short notice.
Also in her vote of thanks, the State Coordinator for Malaria, Mrs. Amina Zimro Edward, appreciated the commitment of the invited guests and their profound respect for the ministry.
She then requested the task team to increase the visibility of the public domain understanding and implementation of community development and evaluation, pointing out that the exercise was targeted towards prevention and diagnosis that is focused on empowering communities in Africa.