MOD distributes 60,000 anti-malaria drugs in 3 months — PS

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence (MOD), Alhaji Aliyu Ismaila, said that the ministry had effectively distributed over 60 doses of anti-malaria drugs to personnel and families.

Ismaila said this while flagging off the Ministry of Defence Community Awareness/Sensitasation programme to mark the 2014 World Malaria Day at the Mambilla Barracks in Abuja.
He said that the anti-malaria drugs were distributed to the MOD Staff clinics in FCT and Lagos, the army, Air-Force and Navy.
Ismaila noted that It was a well known fact that health is wealth and healthy work force is productivity and productivity leads to organizational effectiveness which in turn translates to a wealth nation.

He said that it was in the  light  of this that MOD remains highly committed to the prevention and promotion of the healthcare of its persoHe explained that based on the fact that prevention is better and cheaper than cure, the ministry places a lot of emphasis on preventive cure while operating quality creative healthcare services.
“The programme is designed to educate, sensitize and mobilize our staff and families towards a healthy life style.
“Some of the achievements of this programme is effective collaboration with National Malaria Elimination programme and other malaria partners, ‘’ Ismaila said.

He however commended the Society for Family Health and National Malaria Elimination programme for their support.
On his part, Lt.Col. Paul Paul Egbo, Commanding Officer Guards Brigade Medical Centre Mambilla Barracks said that the programme was to sensitise the residents of the barrack on ways to prevent malaria.
Egbo said that the advocacy would chant a way for the women to know what to do to prevent  and eliminate malaria.
He said if malaria is prevented it will assist the Federal Government to reduce health care delivery cost.
Earlier, Director Medical services, Dr  Nkechi  Ikoko MOD said that the ministry had through its Malaria Control Programme embarked on several control measures such as awareness/sensitisation creation programmes.