EKO NEWS
World Malaria Day: A Clean Environment Can Help Eliminate Malaria Spread – LAWMA
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The World Malaria Day is marked on April 25 of every year.
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This year’s team is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”.
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LAWMA has made a case for ensuring an effective fight against malaria.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has underscored the importance of maintaining a clean environment to combat the spread of malaria.
He said this in a statement marking this year’s World Malaria Day, themed: ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’.
EDITOR’S PICKS
The World Health Organization (WHO), had noted that approximately 249 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 608,000 deaths, occurring mostly in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and remaining a major global challenge.
Gbadegesin said that, while malaria was primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the prevalence and severity of the disease could be significantly reduced through preventive measures, anchored on a clean environment, as one of the most effective strategies.
“In the fight against malaria, prevention is key. One of the most effective preventive measures is to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by ensuring a clean and hygienic environment,” the LAWMA boss stated.
“Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, waste dumps, and other unhygienic areas. By keeping our homes and surroundings clean, we can significantly reduce mosquito population and consequently, the transmission of malaria.”
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin
Gbadegesin urged residents to actively participate in efforts to maintain a clean environment. He also charged them to shun indiscriminate refuse disposal, clean their surroundings, and patronise assigned PSP operators.
He stressed that individual actions could have a significant impact on public health outcomes.
“Each of us has a responsibility to keep our surroundings clean. By properly disposing of waste, eliminating stagnant water, and adopting good sanitation practices, we can protect ourselves and our communities from the devastating effects of malaria,” the LAWMA MD said.
LAWMA ‘REMAINS COMMITTED’ TO CLEANLINESS
Gbadegesin reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness and public health, with effective collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste across the state, while also implementing educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of environmental hygiene.
“As the world marks World Malaria Day, I want to reassure residents of LAWMA’s total commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and public health.
FURTHER READING
“Through collaborative efforts between government agencies, communities, and individuals, a cleaner and healthier environment can be achieved, leading to a significant reduction in the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases,” he added.
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