Delight Chinedum
Wife of Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo has called for heightened awareness and collective action to combat the prevalence of malaria across the state and beyond.
Speaking at the event to mark World Malaria Day 2025, Mrs Soludo harped on the urgency of addressing the disease, which continued to pose significant public health challenge in Nigeria and the African region.
Soludo’s wife cited the World Health Organization’s report, highlighting the grim reality that malaria claims an estimated one life every minute, with the majority of deaths occurring in Africa.
“Nigeria is among malaria-endemic countries in Africa. Yet the growing threats that come with this dangerous disease are something we can really control through collective actions and sustained efforts,” she said.
As Anambra’s Net Ambassador, Mrs. Soludo emphasized the critical role of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in preventing malaria.
She revealed that since 2023, her campaign has successfully distributed over 3.8 million free ITNs to households and public health facilities across Anambra State.
“Sleeping under insecticide-treated nets is still ideal for preventing malaria,” she noted.
Describing the progress made as modest with massive results, the first lady stressed the need for continued action.
She urged both government and community members to intensify efforts to eradicate malaria.
“While the government will continue to improve access to treatment and prevention of the disease, we also have a responsibility to drive community actions and promote common household habits to keep malaria away from our environments.
“The time to start is now. Every action must be urgent,” she added.
In closing, she referenced the theme of this year’s World Malaria Day: “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” calling it a succinct reminder of the shared responsibility to end the disease.
Her address served as both a rallying cry and a testament to ongoing efforts in Anambra State to reduce malaria’s devastating impact.