Reckitt Benckiser Mortein empower 32,000 mothers on malaria

Firm to empower 32,000 mothers on malaria prevention

AUGUST 15, 2012 BY BUKOLA ADEBAYO LEAVE A COMMENT

The Brand Manager, Mortein Insecticide, Reckitt Benckiser, Mrs. Toyin Yusuf, has said as part of initiatives to reduce the scourge of malaria infections, the company would be empowering 32,000 mothers with preventive measures across the country.

Yusuf, who spoke at a two-day training workshop for Lagos State Government Roll Back Malaria officers and health educators in Lagos, said there was need to educate and empower mothers especially at the grassroots on preventive measures that could protect their children and families from the disease.

She noted that the programme, which would be initiated in partnership with the state government officials over two months in about 75 primary health care centres across the country, is targeted at vulnerable groups which include pregnant women and nursing mothers on the need for a mosquito-free environment throughout the use of insecticide treated nets.

Yusuf said,”There is need for an aggressive anti-malaria campaign especially in the rural areas across the country. Reports from the National Demographic Health Survey has shown that 300,000 children die from malaria in Nigeria annually.Therefore, vigorous awareness about the danger of malaria especially at the grass roots is important. These new mothers would also be given free mortein insecticides to help keep their homes mosquito free and prevent malaria,”

Also, the Scientific Service Group Coordinator for Research and Development, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Uchenna Nwakam, said mothers would also be educated on proper use of the insecticides and mosquito-treated nets in such a way that it would not pose unnecessary harm to their families.

He noted that some insecticides contained some toxic substances which affect the respiratory system, causes nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle weakness and even cancer with prolonged use.

Nwakanma urged mothers and other end users to only use insecticides that were made according to the World Health Organisation’s recommendations.

He said, “These women therefore, need to know how important it is to use the right insecticide and know how to spray to keep from harm. They should also know which is good for use or not. Some insecticides have adverse effects on our health when inhaled because the mothers misused them .”