Sokoto State government began the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and antimalarial drugs at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Sokoto on Saturday.

It also fumigated the camps to prevent malaria. 

The exercise was inaugurated by the deputy governor, Idris Gobir, at Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto North Local Government Area.

Mr Gobir urged residents of IDP camps to accept their situation as divinely determined and assured that the government was working to ensure that they returned to their respective settlements to engage in normal livelihood activities.

He noted that Gov. Ahmad Aliyu’s administration was committed to ensuring improvement in citizens’ well-being and had initiated a nine-point agenda that provided standard healthcare and education, among others.

Mr Gobir said also that the step was targeted at reversing the neglected conditions of the people and the environment.

He presented 30 bags of rice and maize to those in the camp and reassured them of continued support for the less-privileged and other vulnerable persons in the state.

In her remarks, commissioner for health, Asabe Balarabe, said the initiative aimed at ensuring that IDPs were considered in all government activities and were fully assimilated.

She said the state government had lined up activities to safeguard peoples’ lives, especially from dengue fever which has similar symptoms as those of malaria fever.

She commended community groups, donor agencies and government institutions for their support and enjoined them to continue with the support to promote health in the country.

Earlier, Namadina Ibrahim, special adviser to the governor on malaria control, said the nets and medications distributed were free and urged beneficiaries to use them effectively.

(NAN)