Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the wife of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, has made a committed promise to utilize her position for the noble cause of eradicating childhood malaria-related deaths in the state.
This dedication came to light during her investiture as the Malaria Ambassador for Kwara, a title conferred upon her by prominent organizations such as the Society for Family Health (SFH), National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and other esteemed partners in the fight against malaria. This event took place in Abuja on a Saturday.
In her role as Malaria Ambassador, Mrs. AbdulRazaq has outlined her strategy. She intends to leverage various communication channels and allocate resources to raise awareness regarding the importance of malaria preventive measures for children aged three to 59 months.
This will encompass the promotion of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) to safeguard the well-being of both children and families. Her aim is clear: to ensure that children in Kwara are shielded from the devastating effects of malaria.
“I will also mobilise malaria advocates of the local government areas who will, in turn, mobilise the people at the grassroots to the full three-day course of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine-Amodiaquine (SPAQ) in this fourth cycle and net utilisation in Kwara becomes highest in the country.
“By the grace of God, I will work with other stakeholders to ensure that children no longer die of malaria, no pregnant woman has miscarriage or gives birth to low-birth-weight child due to malaria and generally reduce the burden of malaria in Kwara State,” the governor’s wife said.
As malaria ambassador, Mrs AbdulRazaq is expected to play a pivotal role in advocating for prevention, treatment and research, using her office.
She will also support initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness, encouraging community engagements and mobilising resources for malaria elimination campaigns.
Managing director of SFH Dr Omokhudu Idogho said that beyond the focus of ending malaria goals, there was a shift toward a more systematic and targeted integrated approach in its programming.
Represented by Dr Jennifer Anyati, the society’s deputy managing director, strategy, technical and growth, Idogho said that the shift was to work with donors and government to tackle many diseases and to drive progress beyond programmes.
He added that “at SFH, we are committed to driving this process even across our HIV/Tuberculosis/Family Planning portfolio and provide the country with best practices and proof-of-concept to inform the further mainstreaming of integration.
