By Olasukanmi Akoni

Lagos—THE Lagos State Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to eliminate malaria in the state.

The strategies include: Vector control interventions, preventive therapies, diagnostic testing, treatment with quality-assured Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), and strong malaria surveillance.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who made this known at the weekend during a community sensitization campaign to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day at the Amu Market in Mushin Local Government Area, said that measures put in place by the state government were geared towards combating malaria.

Highlighting the various integrated preventive measures, Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Director in charge of Disease Control, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, explained that Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) have been deployed to communities, as well as distribution of nets in public health facilities to children who had completed their immunization schedule and also to pregnant women who booked for antenatal care, adding that pregnant women were routinely given in the prescribed manner Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria during Ante Natal Clinics.

“Another preventive strategy being deployed in the state is the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) which is the application of long-acting chemical insecticides on the walls and roofs of houses for the effect of curtailing malaria transmission.

The 6th round in the series of IRS activities was implemented in seven LGAs namely Ojo, Ikorodu, Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Kosofe, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki LGAs in 2014 and approximately 650,000 rooms were sprayed”, Idris said.