By  AUGUSTA AGINA
Concerned about the havoc continually raked in communities in the community,  Nigeria Westminster Dredging and Marine Limited, NWDM, in collaboration with an international NGO, Family Care Association, FCA,  has trained 200 health workers, 3,016 community agents on  malaria prevention and control in the riverine communities of Igbokoda, Ugbonlo, Aiyetoro and Ilowo in Ilaje Local Government Area of  Ondo State.

The Malaria Control and Prevention Project executed under the umbrella of the ‘Nigeria Malaria Control and Prevention Programme was managed by a team of FCA medical professionals, volunteers and international coordinators.

The focus of the programme was to reduce the malaria burden within the target communities through distribution of 2,000, Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets,  LLIN , Intermittent Preventive Treatment , IPT, for pregnant women, free Rapid Diagnostic Tests, RDT, for malaria, free ACT malaria medication for those who tested positive for malaria, with emphasis on pregnant women and children under five years.

A key aspect of the programme, according to the organisers, was to address malaria prevention education and awareness through campaigns, seminars and  lectures as investigations show  that malaria is something the communities face on a daily basis .Two hundred  community health workers, nurses, pharmacists and medical personnel from within the LGA received training and certification in malaria prevention and control, as well as training for 3,016 community agents.

They also distributed LLIN, RDT testing, ACT treatment of malaria. The indigenes of Ilaje LGA expressed gratitude to Nigeria Westminster Dredging and Marine Limited and Family Care Association for the programme.