By Kemi Olatunde

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In order to have a major shift in malaria indices in the state, Ondo State Government has unveiled the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) as the Non-State-Actor (NSA) for the IMPACT Malaria Project.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo while unveiling the NSA in Akure on Wednesday commended experts transparency in the appointment, noting that it is in line with excellent character that Ondo State is noted for.

He revealed that there are 263million cases of Malaria globally with 94 percent of the cases in the African region, adding that Nigeria hosts 37percent of the entire global burden.

He charged the NSA to collaborate with the state and change the narrative by ensuring that a favourable statistics is brought up, saying “at the end of the exercise, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa expects that the statistics must change in the state. We will be assessing you and we want to be proud at the end of the project.”

He urged the institute to email the good use of long lasting treated insecticide nets (LLIN), calling for the online registration of beneficiaries of LLIN to ensure proper usage.

He called on stakeholders to put in their best in ensuring the success of the project in the state.

Speaking in a press briefing at the event, Odimayo commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his landmark achievements in the health sector, stating that it has experienced great improvement which according to him is the reflection of the good of the well-being of the people.

He explained that, since his assumption in office, there has been continuous employment of health workers which has encouraged enhanced stability and commended him for the regular payment their salary which he said is at per with those of federal workers.

He lauded IHVN for recruiting staff and also training of health workers to enhance residents’ health noting that the Governor has also ensure successful restructurings of the state tertiary institution.

He said; “The Governor has been systematic in carrying out the restructuring. The restructuring of the tertiary hospital has birthed a federal teaching hospital in the state. He has through his wisdom ensure that the state has three teaching hospitals. He has ensured that the hospitals have best equipment.”

He hinted that the CT scan machine in UNIMED teaching hospital, Lake, Ondo will become functional for the use of the people in the next few days.

In the area of health insurance, he stated that over 250000 people are benefitting from the state health insurance ,saying 8754 elderly, 7012 widow, 2712 disabled, 1500 orphans and 3040 Sickle cell warriors are accessing treatment free if charge in the state.

He revealed that the first ever essential medicine list was inaugurated a few months ago noting that revatilisation going on in all Primary Health Care facilities entails provision of borehole water, 24 hour power supply through solar and accomodation to ensure the availability of health workers to deliver qualitative health care to patients.

He added that “there is also the ongoing Aiyedatiwa Hepatitis B elimination program and also, government is ensuring the availability of viable drug in health facilities through the establishment of the state Contributory Health Commission.

 Project Coordinator, IMPACT, Dr. Waheed Afolayan while speaking on the selection process of NSA and effect of the engagement on the project, he explained that the engagement of NSA was done according to the National Malaria Elimination Program and World Bank’s principle and policy in line with the project implementation manual.

According to the performance in quarter one in comparison with the set target, there is an upward trend in the proportion of children under five presenting with fever a d tested for Malaria in the state.

He recommended the need for health workers to align with the structure