Ondo govt seeks stronger collaboration on malaria prevention, health communication
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State Government has reiterated its readiness to partner relevant organisations and agencies to strengthen the reach and effectiveness of health-related messages as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, stated this when he received the Larva Source Management Advocacy Team, led by Mr Ralph Onyilo of the Federal Ministry of Health, in his office.
Ajanaku said effective communication and sustained public enlightenment remained critical to changing public attitudes and encouraging citizens to adopt preventive measures against malaria and other diseases.
He commended the advocacy team for its interest in supporting initiatives aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of residents, stressing that government could achieve greater impact when health interventions were complemented by effective information dissemination.
According to him, the Ministry of Information and Orientation has a crucial responsibility in educating the public on issues that directly affect their wellbeing, particularly through strategic communication capable of reaching people at the grassroots.
The commissioner assured the team that the ministry would provide the necessary support for its intervention programmes, noting that sustained collaboration among government agencies, health organisations and communities was essential to reducing the burden of diseases in the state.
Ajanaku further emphasised the need for health messages to be presented in simple and accessible forms that would enable residents, especially those in vulnerable communities, to understand the importance of prevention and early intervention.
Earlier, Onyilo sought the support and collaboration of the state government in strengthening public awareness and education on malaria prevention and control.
He stressed the need for sustainable public enlightenment campaigns, particularly through effective information dissemination strategies that could reach communities and vulnerable groups across the state.
Onyilo noted that increased awareness, early intervention and consistent adoption of preventive measures were critical to reducing the impact of malaria on families and communities.
He said the Larva Source Management initiative would benefit significantly from stronger collaboration with the state government, particularly in ensuring that relevant information reached the intended beneficiaries.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Lanre Akarakiri, underscored the importance of proper coordination, credible information and sustained grassroots sensitisation in achieving the objectives of the campaign.
