Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has confirmed that the state has 2.79 million Insecticide Treated Nets, ITN, ready for distribution to households in the state.
She said they are deploying 13,570 persons, including adhoc and health personnel to volunteer in the sensitization and distribution of mosquito nets.
At a news parley in Calabar, Dr Ekpenyong said malaria has remained a life-threatening disease and a big challenge for the state government
She urged the media to help improve reportage on the prevalence of malaria in the state.
She said, “Before these nets would be distributed, registration of households would be conducted.
“A representative of the household is expected to go to distribution point written on their e-net cards to collect free nets.”
She warned that the ITN must be aired or hung outside for 24 hours before use.
She explained that the prevalence of malaria is more in Cross River State due to huge forests, bodies of stagnant waters, harbours and blocked drainage which makes mosquitoes thrive but that the government is committed to reducing the incidents.
Emphasising the importance of mosquito-treated nets, Ekpenyong cautioned against poor environmental behaviour by even the urban people who pollute their households and surroundings and refuse to sleep under the nets
