The United States Government through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has set aside a total of $9.6million to control malaria in Sokoto State.
United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria in a statement on Friday said 2.9 million bed nets valued at $8.1 million has been set aside for distribution with an additional sum of $1.5 million for logistics in the state.
The bed nets will be distributed in all 23 local government areas of the State.
“The bed nets, valued at $8.1 million will be distributed in all 23 local government areas of the State. The U.S. Government also provided an additional $1.5 million for logistics, including transportation of the bed nets, community mobilisation, and training of workers to distribute the bed nets. These nets and support for the distribution are a gift from the American People to the People of Sokoto State,” the statement read in part.
The distribution according to the US government is necessary to create increased access to health services, especially for the poor and because Malaria is a leading cause of illnesses in Nigeria.
“This bed net distribution is significant to scale up access to malaria prevention within every household in Sokoto State. Malaria is one of the leading killers of children and a leading cause of illnesses in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season when the mosquito population increases,” the statement read.
The statement said further that, since 2011, the U.S. Government has spent more than $420 million to control malaria in Nigeria. Over 50 percent of U.S. Government funding for malaria goes into procuring and distributing insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria diagnostic kits, and malaria medicines.
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