WABIO FOUNDATION, NESH, COMMENCE NATIONWIDE TEST & TREAT MALARIA CAMPAIGN IN ASABA, HOSTED BY DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT.

It has been many weeks of “giving back” activities in the nationwide Test and Treat Malaria Outreach program powered by WABIO Foundation and NESH Foundation, in partnership with the Association Of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), and in collaboration with State Primary Healthcare Development Agencies (SPHCDA) and National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).

The nature of this outreach program is unique, in that it affords Sponsors the liberty to choose the Local Government Area they’d like their donations sent to.

Each Test and Treat Malaria pack contains simple and convenient NAFDAC-approved Do-It-Yourself Urine Malaria Test (UMT) kits as well as ACT medication to be distributed for free to low-income Nigerian families. The plan is to reach 50,000 households in every State in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

The support so far from Corporate Nigeria, Parastatals and public-spirited individuals, has been overwhelming, and underscores the increasing national awareness for broad-based stakeholder intervention in proper malaria case management.

WABIO Foundation Founder, Ebele Enemchukwu and Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Founder of NESH, were in Asaba, the Delta State Capital to mark the official commencement of the distribution phase of the 5-year program.

The event which held at the Delta State Government House, in the office of the Secretary to The State Government, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, had in attendance, the Honorable Commissioner Of Health, Delta State, Dr. Mordi Ononye; Hon. Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, the Chief Of Staff and representative of the President of ALGON, Hon. Kolade Alabi; Representative of the IBRU Organization, Hon. Kenneth Ibru; Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua, Chief Whip, Delta State House Of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Ocho C. Ochor, Deputy Speaker, Delta State House Of Assembly. Representatives from NMEP, Fyodor Biotechnologies (manufacturers of the UMT Kits), as well as ladies and gentlemen of the Press.

In her opening remarks, Ebele Enemchukwu stated that Asaba was chosen because the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is a Medical Doctor himself, and the donation being made was by the IBRU Organisation, whose Founder, Late Olorogun Michael Ibru, was a foremost Nigerian Entrepreneur, and whose son, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, is the current Executive Chairman.

With disturbing statistics on annual malaria cases and associated deaths shared, Mrs. Enemchukwu enlightened everyone on the reason for embarking on the nationwide campaign, especially at this time of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Founder of NESH, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju added that like WABIO Founder had stated, the campaign was our way of contributing to the actualization of the ZERO MALARIA goal by the year, 2030. “The core message remains”, he added, “TEST before you TREAT!”

As a final Speaker at the event, the SSG, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, on behalf of the Governor and beautiful people of Delta State, extended appreciation to the Team, while emphasising the need for more of such collaborations in the future.

When the official segment was done, onward movement of the materials continued to Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North, hometown of the IBRU Dynasty and chosen Local Government Area for the distribution. Reports to come in soon.

Special thanks to the IBRU Group, NNPC/Total & Partners, Stanbic IBTC Bank, NLNG, FERMA, Engr. Uzodike Ajulu (CEO, Cutix Plc.), Airtel Nigeria, United Nigeria Airlines, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, for their redeemed and pledged support towards the program, while believing that more Corporates and public-spirited individuals shall rise to this worthy cause. Next stop is Lagos State