Rotary Tackles Malaria Among Pregnant Women In FCT Community

The Rotary Club of Abuja Imperial has intensified efforts to combat malaria among pregnant women and nursing mothers in Jikowyi, Abuja, with the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and health education as part of activities marking World Mosquito Day.

The outreach, held at the Jikowyi Primary Health Centre yesterday, drew more than 100 registered beneficiaries, highlighting the demand for malaria prevention interventions among vulnerable women in the community.

During the programme, president of the Rotary Club of Abuja Imperial, Oluwagbemiga Oki, said the initiative was designed to provide immediate protection for pregnant women and nursing mothers against malaria and promote long-term prevention.

Oki said malaria in pregnancy remained a preventable public health challenge capable of causing severe illness and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight.
He said the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, coupled with proper antenatal care, preventive therapies and prompt access to treatment, was critical to reducing malaria-related risks among pregnant women.

According to him, Rotary’s intervention would go beyond the World Mosquito Day outreach, as the club plans to continue supporting health education, antenatal attendance and community-based malaria prevention in collaboration with health authorities.

“We believe in sustainable impact,” Oki said, urging the media and other stakeholders to help amplify accurate malaria prevention messages.

Also speaking, Chief Nursing Officer, AMAC, Matron Rihanat Nike Ayilara, said malaria remained a major health concern among pregnant women attending the facility.

She said beneficiaries were sensitised on malaria prevention and the proper use of mosquito nets, urging them to consistently sleep under the nets to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes.

Ayilara disclosed that more than 100 people had registered for the intervention, although the available mosquito nets were limited.

She appealed to government, development partners and other organisations to support the health facility with additional mosquito nets, malaria testing, treatment and other essential healthcare interventions.

Meanwhile, Palace Secretary, Esu Jikowyi, Abuja, and Village Development Committee Primary Healthcare Centre, Jikowyi, Jonathan Zagbi Jeta, said poor refuse disposal, stagnant water and inadequate drainage remained environmental concerns in the community.

Jeta urged the government, Rotary Club and other development organisations to increase support for the Jikowyi Primary Healthcare Centre, particularly in sanitation, water supply, cleanliness and other basic healthcare needs.

He stressed that malaria prevention required sustained community sensitisation and improved environmental sanitation, urging residents to properly dispose off refuse and maintain clean surroundings.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the Rotary initiative.

One beneficiary, Rachel, said she had previously struggled to obtain a mosquito net before learning that nets were being distributed to pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Another beneficiary, Jennifer, said she expected the net to protect her family from mosquitoes and sickness, particularly during the rainy season.

She thanked the organisers for the intervention and prayed for continued support for the beneficiaries and their families.