NGO advocates free provision of Sulphurdoxine Pyrimathamine in Ebonyi health centers

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

A non governmental organization, Dovenet, has appealed to Ebonyi state government to provide free Sulphurdoxine Pyrimathamine(SP) to pregnant mothers in all the health centers as a way of curbing increase death occasioned by malaria in pregnancy. The group project manager, Dovenet president malaria initiative,Mrs Joy Eze made the appeal when they paid advocacy visit to Ebonyi state Manager Malaria Elimination Program, SMEP, Mr Nkwuda John Chukwuemeka at Centenary City, Abakaliki.

Eze lamented that most of the pregnant mothers at the rural communities suffered poor medical attention orchestrated by inability to afford the medical care services. "When we started, we have been partnering well with the various LGAs, we're helping State Malaria Elimination Program,SMEP state Manager to eradicate malaria to the barrest minimum. "Most of the pregnant mothers in our rural communities suffer poor medical care due to inability to fund their health care services. "When we went to some communities in Izzi, some of the pregnant mothers there told us that they can't afford 200 naira to pay for Sulphurdoxine Pyrimathamine(SP), which is one dose and will need to take another dose in four weeks time which is very important in their condition. "We're begging, that he uses his good office either to build on what former SMEP Manager did which he said the Commissioner has approved and let it be released, if released should be used to buy Sulphurdoxine Pyrimathamine and distribute in all the health centers in the state. "You know that malaria is dangerous in the life of a pregnant mother, to the baby in her womb, and herself; and as a parasite,it drains blood of these pregnant mothers leading to anemia and ends in abortion. Responding, the state manager Malaria Elimination Program, SMEP, Mr Nkwuda Commended governor Nwifuru for revamping the health sector with the employment of health workers in the thirteen general hospital in the state. The state manager of Malaria Elimination Program, SMEP while equally applauded the state Commissioner for health, Dr Moses assured the team of sincere partnership and enjoined other partners to continue supporting the state in ensuring zero malaria in Ebonyi. "I am happy to have you knowing that there are alot of job and your commitment. We know you for quite awhile now and happy you are now working with us one of the partners. "Alot of groups have visited to show their solidarity and support to the office. "We're ready to partner to reduce malaria burden in the state while praying that all hands should be on deck to reduce malaria to zero. Cases of malaria has been rampant in the state which your visitation to hospitals will see that 90% cases there are malaria patients, but, together the story will change soon.