Akwa Ibom set for 3.9m insecticide-treated nets distribution campaign to combat malaria, safeguard lives

Akwa Ibom State is set for the distribution of 3.9 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) distribution campaign to combat malaria and safeguard the lives of the people particularly children and pregnant women in an exercise that is expected to gulp N23bn

The Commissioner for Health, Ekem Emmanuel John, a medical doctor, made this known while inaugurating the ITN Campaign Coordinating Committee (ICCC) at the conference room, Ministry of Health in Uyo, the state capital.

“A  total of 3.9m ITNs  worth N23bn have been procured  by Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), a UK based Non Governmental Organisation in collaboration with US Government for distribution  to all households  across 31 Local Government Areas of the state.

“The availability and utilisation of these ITNs will  contribute to the goal of malaria elimination in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State and  impact positively on the socioeconomic  development of the citizens and residents of the State,’’ he said.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary,  Patrick Eshiet,  he said one of the most effective tools in “our campaign against malaria is the Insecticide Treated Nets which can drastically reduce malaria morbidity and mortality. This is why our state in partnership with national and international stakeholders is embarking on a large-scale ITN distribution campaign to ensure that everyhold has access to this life-saving tool.”

According to him, the committee is to “facilitate timely delivery and distribution of the ITNs at the LGA and the distribution point levels, ensure coordination among all implementing partners and stakeholders ,monitor the process of household mobilisation and ITN distribution at lower levels and guarantee that the nets reach every household in the State, among others.”

He commended Governor Umo Eno for his commitment towards improving the health status of the people in line with the Arise Agenda and lauded the national and global health partners for providing the ITNs for the people of Akwa Ibom State. He also commended the United States Government for supporting  Akwa Ibom State  with the operational logistics for distribution and the Global Health Supply Chain programme Procurement and Management  for the system support given to the state government.

Giving an overview of the mass campaign, the Akwa Ibom State Malaria Elimination Programme manager, Boniface Ukpong said the campaign would kick off in the first quarter of 2026 adding that in the previous exercise, 3.3 million nets were distributed in 2022. He disclosed that members of the committee would be split into various groups to fast-track the campaign.

Members of the ICCC are drawn from the media, healthcare professionals, corporate organisations, security agencies and top government officials.