The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) on Saturday screened about 200 people in Gbagede community, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara.
The programme is part of the commemoration of the World Malaria Day.
The theme of the day is “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must”.
Speaking on the sidelines of the community outreach, Mrs Munirat Bello, the Chairperson of the ACPN stated that the day is set aside to sensitize the communities and public about Malaria.
“Malaria is one of the leading causes of death in pregnant women and children below the ages of five,” Bello said.
According to her, the people of the community were sensitized on the preventive ways of tackling Malaria.
Bello said that community pharmacists have a vital role to play in the counselling, control and prevention of Malaria because it is a primary healthcare disease.
She advised people to sleep under long lasting insecticidal mosquito nets, prevent water logged holes and keep environment clean at all times.
Bello said that the rainy season is usually a season where mosquitoes breed more and spike in Malaria fever occurs frequently.
She warned people against using anti Malaria drugs every time they come down with fever, while emphasising that testing is key in treatment of the disease.
Bello also advised people to exercise caution when using alternative medicines, saying that the herbs must be evidence-based.
The community pharmacist commended the government for the provision of Malaria vaccines for children below six months, while also appealing for wider coverage of the vaccines across all communities.
Also speaking, Mrs Risikat Lawal, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Kwara State Ministry of Health observed that the theme of the day, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must”, is apt.
Lawal explained that the theme calls for rallying cry to grasp the moment, to protect lives now and fund a malaria-free future.
She emphasised the importance of mobilizing and sensitizing people in communities about the prevention of Malaria.
Lawal commended the large turnout of people in the community who were screened and treated for Malaria free of charge.
A member of ACPN, Mr Atolagbe Daramola, who sensitized the people of the community, advised them on preventive methods of controlling Malaria.
Daramola said that the cost of prevention is less than cost of treatment, while warning that not all fevers are Malaria.
“People assume that all fevers are Malaria. There is need for screening to clear the doubt and give room for treatment,” he said.
Earlier in his appreciation remark, the Onigbagede of Gbagede town, Oba Abdulhakeem Ishola commended the ACPN for the humanitarian services in the community.
Ishola appealed to government to support such initiative of the association and also called for more healthcare facilities in the community to cater for the people.
Some of the beneficiaries; Mr Adewumi Adeoti and Mrs Fauziya Oseni commended the association, adding that they were screened and treated free of charge for Malaria fever.
