Martins Ifijeh
In commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day, a non-governmental organisation, Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), with the sponsorship of ExxonMobil, recently initiated an environmental sanitation activity in the densely-populated Idi-Araba community in Lagos.
Tagged: Clean-Up To #EndMalaria,in line with this year’s theme – End Malaria for Good – and targeted at combating the scourge of malaria through a holistic approach, the sanitation exercise which took place between 8am and 2pm, served as a platform for mobilising members of the community, educating and engaging them on the importance of environmental sanitation in relation to malaria prevention; as well as an avenue for raising awareness around the benefits of fighting malaria effectively.
With several health workers, nurses and professional malaria testers on hand to attend to the mammoth crowd that turned out to clean their own environment under the supervision of YEDI staff members and volunteers, many people across the community who showed clear signs of malaria were tested free of charge while those who tested positive were treated. A total of 250 Long-lasting insecticidal bed nets were also distributed free of charge especially to pregnant women and nursing mothers, with a demonstration of its usage to ensure they are put to proper use.
In her remarks, YEDI’s Executive Director AnuIshola reiterated the organisation’s commitment to ensuring a holistic approach in the fight against malaria, while commending ExxonMobil’s long-standing and unwavering support in the global fight towards ending malaria for good as well as other partners for their support.
“The goal to #EndMalaria for good is achievable but we must not neglect any aspect of the fight; even a tiny cog can mess up a big machine if not taken care of. So, thanks to our funders and supporters, we are here to demonstrate to this community and many others the importance of a clean environment when it comes to malaria because it’s related to the breeding of mosquitoes, the only known cause of malaria,”she said, noting that YEDI was therefore preaching the message of tackling malaria from all angles.”
