Philip Jeremiah Eke

Over 15,000 residents from 15 communities in Bayelsa State have benefited from the ongoing Zero Malaria Project initiated by the Rotary Club of Maple Grove in the United States.

The Minnesota-based Rotary Club of Maple Grove is collaborating with the Rotary Club of Yenagoa Towers and the Sagbama Primary Healthcare Authority to facilitate this year-long project. The programme includes free malaria testing and treatment, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests, and free medicated eyeglasses provided by health professionals.

According to Chief Mrs Jennifer Borel, Project Director and Assistant Governor of Rotary District 5950, USA, the initiative emphasises prevention over treatment in the fight to eradicate malaria.

She explained: “Rotary International has seven focus areas, one of which is disease prevention and treatment. Bayelsa State was selected for the project in the Niger Delta area, which is highly characterised by a high water table and low-lying land that is susceptible to waterlogging during floods, with a resultant increase in the breeding of mosquitoes.

“These communities experience a high prevalence of malaria. It’s also a hard-to-reach area, so I took on the responsibility to bring the project here, to help save lives from this deadly disease.”

Borel added: “A similar project was initiated in 2022 in Patani, Delta State, where the number of infected individuals has drastically reduced, with zero deaths recorded since then due to education and the level of awareness in the communities.

“We decided to extend the project to Bayelsa State communities in the riverine coastal areas of Nigeria.”

She 7expressed confidence in the programme’s success based on the turnout so far.

Noting that trained community-based volunteers will continue to reach remote areas to educate residents and provide them with insecticide-treated nets and malaria medication.

Also speaking, the District Governor-elect of Rotary District 9141, which covers Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Bayelsa states, Anthony Olikagu, said the Zero Malaria Project is more than just treatment; it is a vital initiative that prevents families from losing loved ones to the disease.

His Royal Majesty, King Boloyi Sufadoh, the Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, also expressed appreciation for Rotary’s efforts, thanking the organisation for extending the project to underserved areas of the state.

He said, “I believe that the people of the 15 communities in Sagbama Local Council of Bayelsa State will benefit immensely. This is a mobile initiative involving community-based volunteers, and stipends will be provided for a year. I am confident that malaria will be eradicated upon its completion. I thank Rotary International for this initiative.”