By: Problyn J Alpha
The Senior District Health Education Officer in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, attached to the District Health Management Team in Kono, Aiah Michael Yomba, emphasized that the distribution of bed nets nationwide by the Sierra Leonean government and its donor partners aims to prevent the people of Sierra Leone from contracting malaria. Yomba made this statement while elaborating on the proper use and significance of mosquito bednets during an interview with our correspondent.
According to Yomba, the relevance of bednets lies in providing a physical barrier that prevents mosquitoes, carriers of the Plasmodium parasite, from biting people. Malaria, he noted, has been a significant cause of death in Sierra Leone and Africa for years. He stressed that the government’s proactive approach to preventing citizens from succumbing to malaria is through the widespread distribution of bednets, emphasizing the adage that prevention is better than cure.
Elaborating on the proper use of bednets, Aiah Michael Yomba emphasized that the bednets should be stored in a cool and dry place for seventy-two hours before use. Furthermore, he advised that the bednets must be securely tucked around the bed to effectively prevent mosquitoes from entering. Yomba encouraged residents of Koidu City, especially in Kono District, to participate in the registration process, as only registered individuals and households will benefit from the upcoming distribution scheduled for February.
He announced that the registration period will span from the first to the fourteenth of the next month. The distribution itself is slated to take place from the 22nd to the 28th of February 2024. Yomba emphasized the importance of registration, underscoring that it is a prerequisite for receiving bednets and contributing to the overall success of the malaria prevention initiative.
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