On 25th April, 2022, the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Health Directorate in collaboration with International SOS organized the World Malaria Day celebration at the New La Market. The event aimed to raise awareness on the urgent need for action to scale up existing and new tools to combat malaria, such as the Long Lasting and Insecticide Treated Nets and the RTS, S vaccine, as well as data-led strategies, under the theme “Advance Equity. Build Resilience. End Malaria.”
Malaria is a disease that affects all populations and remains a significant concern, particularly for African countries. Children under five years of age and pregnant women are at a greater risk of the disease.
The primary objective of the event was to achieve a 90% reduction in malaria mortality and a 50% reduction in malaria incidence by 2025. To this end, the following strategies were deployed:
Distribution of letters to stakeholders and organizations
Van Announcement and use of Megaphone
Radio Discussions and Sensitization
Health Talks at the OPD and all Child Welfare Clinics
The event featured a range of activities to promote health and well-being, including Rapid Diagnostic Tests for malaria, blood pressure checks, HIV screening, diet counselling, food demonstration education, Covid-19 vaccination, child growth monitoring and promotion, and health talks on Malaria, Use of LLINs, and COVID-19. A total of 127 people were screened for various health conditions, with 1 positive case of malaria, 7 positive cases of high blood pressure, and 3 positive cases of HIV/AIDS identified. All positive clients were counselled and referred to the La Polyclinic for case management.
The community members appreciated the initiative to hold the event within the community. The La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Health Directorate expressed its gratitude to International SOS for donating medical equipment and other logistics to support health service delivery to the communities.
Together, through targeted interventions and coordinated efforts, we can advance equity, build resilience, and end malaria.