Ibrahim Ola
Abuja
With the theme “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.” the 2024 campaign against malaria by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT chapter, on Thursday, saw the distribution of free drugs to some members of Bwari community, a suburb in Abuja.
The event which is on the sidelines of the world malaria day is aimed at reaching out to the vulnerable as a way of giving back to the society in commemorating the 2024 World Malaria Day (WMD).
WMD is an annual event celebrated on April 25 to highlight global efforts to end malaria, the need for sustained political commitment and continued investment for malaria control and elimination.
The assistant coordinator of the outreach, Mr Onileowo Kayode said the programme was coordinated by ACPN, Kubwa zone, aimed at reaching out to the vulnerable in rural area of Bwari community.
“those in the rural areas are most vulnerable to malaria and so, we decided to reach out and to malaria and so, we educate them on hygiene, give them the necessary information on malaria and how to prevent or treat it.
‘We will also enlighten them on how they can have access to drugs from other private partners or government programmes like the Roll Back Malaria and the likes. “For today, we will carry out free Rapid Malaria tests for as many as have turned out, we will give free counselling and also free frugs to each of them.”
Members of the association in group picture
He also informed that other drugs like antibiotics, multivitamins and anticlimactic for deworming were part of the package distributed while Malaria test were freely conducted to members of the community.
He explained that 25 pharmacists were on ground to attend to the people, while also sensitising them on how they can identify and patronise registered pharmaceuticals for authentic drugs within the neighborhood.
The Etsu of Bwari, HRH Dr. Ibrahim Yaro JP, upon receiving the association express gratitude for the choice of his community. He said they look forward to more of the enlightenment as it serves as an eye opener for his people.
The Etsu pledge his doors are open to them anytime they come calling as the initiative could not have come at a better time.
He said, " I warmly welcome you to my palace, we appreciate your kind gesture and hope that it is going to be a continual one. My door is open for you because this is a good thing that needs to be reckon with."
Organizers with Etsu Bwari in a photo at the outreach
Mr Morris Bwaya, the Supervisory Councilor for Bwari Area Council, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the council, Mr John Gabaya, thanked the association for the gesture.
He said it was a timely development which would complement the efforts of the council toward ensuring better health for residents.
Bwaya said “the association has done wonderfully well, | am glad they chose Bwari for this outreach and as we remain grateful, we also pray and hope that the synergy will be strengthened to further assist our people.
“The council will continue to thrive in ensuring that some of these drugs are provided and sold at our different health centres at subsidized rates.”
Also speaking at the event, Honourable Audi Haruna, former chairman, Area council services commission, express delight and appreciated the body for the gesture.
He said " We are grateful for this great gesture, this is coming in good light and we appreciate it. What they have done today is to prevent further spread of Malaria and given medical attention to the residents. The health talk will help them prevent it and we are grateful, this is the right place they have chosen."
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rosemary Nneameka, who although came in late and couldn't get tested said she is happy and grateful for the kind gesture.shw said this is a relief to them in the community.
Mrs Sarauniya Danjuma, another beneficiary, said it was the first time she was receiving free drugs and she was grateful she benefitted.
Others who could not communicate in English but in Gbayi language prayed for the organizers and hoped the gesture would continue.
The outreach, which took place at the front of the Etsu Bwari’s palace, had well over 20 pharmacists on the ground to attend to the beneficiaries including the heads of fbe association as well as a large turnout of residents, ranging from indigene to non indigene, especially women and children.
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