The Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the FCT, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has urged residents to ensure the cleanliness of their environment in order to avoid malaria through mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season.
Addressing residents, Thursday in Abuja, at the flag-off ceremony of the 2024 World Malaria Day Intervention at Kabusa Primary Health Centre, Maikalangu said his government would continue to provide all the necessary support to ensure the success of the programme.
He said: “World Malaria Day is observed on April 25th of every year and the theme for this year is ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’. The initiative is to highlight the burden of malaria and the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to malaria prevention and control in our various communities.
“Malaria is a killer disease that is caused by the bite of female anopheles mosquitoes. It has continued to be a major public health issue because it is capable of killing both children and adults alike. The major symptoms of malaria are headache, fever, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea.
“You will agree with me that most malaria cases occur during rainy season and many of our children under five years and pregnant women have died due to malaria. The number of people that died due to malaria is enormous.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on our traditional rulers, religious leaders, women leaders, youth leaders and other community stakeholders to join hands to maintain a healthy environment by keeping our surroundings clean, and clear bushes around us.’’
