Citizens of Plateau State have been advised to take advantage of the free distribution of over 2.9 million insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria and save scarce resources on its treatment.

One of the most common causes of absenteeism from school and work, malaria has been identified as resulting in lower productivity and loss of revenue for individuals and governments.

During a media parley in Jos, Mr. Eze Eze, the Senior Program Officer of Breakthrough Actions Nigeria, urged media practitioners to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of using nets properly. This is crucial in reducing the malaria prevalence rate in the State, currently at 19%.

He observed that with over 66 million malaria cases annually, Nigeria sees approximately 30% of child and 11% of maternal deaths each year caused by malaria.

Eze stated that sleeping inside an Insecticide-Treated Net is one of the most effective methods to prevent malaria, creating a barrier against mosquitoes. Research has demonstrated that the use of ITNs led to a 50% reduction in malaria incidence in sub-Sahara Africa, a region responsible for over 90% of global cases.

He also revealed a decrease in malaria prevalence in Nigeria, from 27% in 2015 to 22% in 2021. With a prevalence rate of 19% in Plateau State, the State government, in partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), the United States President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), is distributing 2,998,600 Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN) to households in Plateau State to reduce the burden of malaria.