In a renewed effort to combat malaria, the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has announced a strategic collaboration with religious and traditional leaders to enhance awareness and community engagement in malaria eradication.
Community-Centered Approach to Malaria Elimination
Recognizing malaria as a community-based disease, ACOMIN is advocating for a whole-society approach that involves local communities in prevention efforts. ACOMIN’s National Coordinator, Ayo Ipinmoye, emphasized that while malaria has traditionally been viewed as a medical issue, it is the community that plays a fundamental role in its transmission and treatment.
“It is in the communities where mosquitoes breed, where people are bitten, and where treatment—whether herbal remedies like ‘Agbo’ or healthcare services—is sought. To eliminate malaria, communities must take a primary role, supported by the government, health professionals, and the media,” Ipinmoye stated during a Quarterly Advocacy-Focused Media Dissemination Meeting.
He highlighted the importance of religious institutions and community leaders in spreading critical messages about mosquito control, sanitation, and preventive measures to protect public health.
Local Action and Sustainability
With declining foreign donor support, Ipinmoye sees an opportunity for Nigeria to take full ownership of its health initiatives. He noted that while political will is crucial, community will is even more essential in driving sustainable malaria control efforts.
“We have the resources and capacity to tackle malaria ourselves. Communities must wake up, demand better health outcomes, and actively participate in solutions,” he said.
Innovative Malaria Control Strategies
Dr. Adeogun Adedapo, a disease epidemiologist, introduced Larval Source Management (LSM) as a key strategy for mosquito control. This approach focuses on identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites at the community level.
“Communities can significantly reduce malaria transmission by maintaining clean environments and integrating mosquito control into their routine sanitation activities,” Dr. Adedapo explained.
By fostering community ownership of malaria control, ACOMIN, in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS)and the Global Fund (GF) GC7 grant, is working with local governments and stakeholders to ensure malaria elimination efforts are effective and sustainable.
Call to Action
ACOMIN urges community leaders, religious institutions, health professionals, and the media to collaborate in reinforcing malaria prevention messages. Through community-driven initiatives, Nigeria can significantly reduce malaria cases and improve health outcomes nationwide.
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