Paramount rulers lament deaths associated with malaria parasite
By PETER DURU, Makurdi
As Benue State government commences the free distribution of two million Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets across the state, paramount rulers in the state have lamented the rising cases of deaths associated with malaria parasite, describing the free distribution of the nets to combat the menace as a laudable initiative that would effectively stem the rising cases of maternal and childhood killer diseases across the country.
Speaking exclusively to Saturday Vanguard yesterday at their various dormain at Aliade and Oju in Benue State, the Tor Igbor and his counterpart at Adum East Ito, Chiefs Beetse Orkaa and John Egabor respectively, stated that the renewed onslaught against the parasite would also curtail all avoidable deaths associated with malaria.
They noted that in recent times, numerous pregnant women and children who were victims of malaria had lost their lives due mainly to the resistance of malaria parasite to known drugs for the treatment of the ailment but stressed that with the introduction of long lasting insecticide treated nets, cases of malaria infections would be drastically reduced in the various communities.
According to Chief Orkaa, “Malaria has been one of the foremost killer of mothers and children in the villages, but with the introduction of these treated nets by the government we will certainly record drastic reduction in cases of malaria infections and deaths in our communities and villages”.
Also speaking the Paramount ruler of Adum East Ito, Chief John Egabor emphasized the import of the state government’s initiative adding that the enthusiasm shown by the people to the programme was a clear demonstration of the people’s willingness to put the nets to good use.
So much enthusiasm greeted the free distribution of the Insecticide Treated Nets as mothers were seen in their hundreds in all the wards visited in Gwer and Oju local government areas queuing up to be given the nets by officials of the ministry of health.
