NDDC leads fight against Malaria, calls for collaboration 

The Niger Delta Development Commission has called on all stakeholders in the region to intensify efforts to rid the nation of malaria.

NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during the Commission’s World Malaria Day Enlightenment Campaign in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.

Represented by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, the Commission’s MD noted that malaria kills faster than HIV and AIDS, highlighting the need for an aggressive war against malaria.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at NDDC, Pius Ughakpoteni, in a statement on Thursday, quoted Ogbuku as saying there is an urgent need to take more decisive measures in addressing the problem.

He highlighted the NDDC’s commitment to ensuring free and accessible healthcare in the region.

He said, “Malaria is a major public health concern in the tropical area of the Sahara, and Nigeria has recorded about 68 million cases of malaria leading to over 194,000 deaths. Therefore, there is an urgent need to take more decisive measures in addressing the problem.

“NDDC has recently conducted a free medical outreach across the region where over 20,000 patients benefited through free medical consultations, diagnosis, treatments, and even surgeries.

“It is our firm belief in NDDC that a more collaborative approach with relevant stakeholders would yield far-reaching results, especially in the quest to eradicate malaria from the region and Nigeria at large.”

The Executive Director of Corporate Services further urged the people of the region to seek medical attention swiftly in the event of any symptoms.

Similarly, the Director of the Ondo State Office of the NDDC, Mr Victor Asonye, commended the commitment of the current leadership of the Commission for providing a platform to sensitize the people on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of malaria.

Asonye said, “The World Malaria Day Enlightenment Campaign is part of the NDDC’s efforts in addressing the healthcare needs of our people through the provision of timely sensitization and awareness.”