The Anambra government has given more than 1.3 million households 3.9 million Insecticidal Treated Nets (ITN), as part of efforts to control malaria in the state.

The nets were procured and distributed with support from GiveWell Open Philanthropic Funding, National Malaria Elimination Programme and Malaria Consortium.

“No fewer than 7.4 million persons benefited from the free insecticide-treated nets distributed to 1.3 million households in Anambra.

“About 3,850,316 insecticide-treated nets were distributed to residents of the state between Aug. 7 and Aug 21,” Campaign Manager of the project, Olaitan Adeniyi, said in Awka on Tuesday.

Mrs Adeniyi said that insecticide-treated nets had been proven by research as an effective way of preventing and rolling back malaria.

She said a survey conducted immediately after the distribution showed that Anambra had moved from 37 per cent to 53 per cent ITN usage rate.

“This is a mere few points away from the national target of 57 per cent usage rate,” she said.

Mrs Adeniyi expressed hope that with increased media campaigns in the communities, the state would be on the journey to meet the national target.

She also acknowledged complaints from residents who were willing to receive the nets but could not.

“The challenge is caused by a shortfall in the statistics provided on the population of some parts of the state which made the number of nets planned for such places to be underestimated,” she said.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, thanked the partners for adopting digital technology in the distribution of the nets.

“We appeal to the public to ensure that they continue to sleep inside the nets as it is proven to be a protection from mosquito bites.

“The ITN prevents mosquito bites, reduces the incidence of malaria and the cost spent in treating the disease,” the commissioner noted.

(NAN)