AIICO partners with an NGO to tackle malaria in vulnerable communities

AIICO Insurance Plc partners with HACEY Health Initiative to fight malaria on the occasion of World Malaria Day 2022.

AIICO’s Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Mr Segun Olalandu, said this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

Olalandu said the partnership was carried out through an awareness campaign in local communities spread across Lagos, Oyo and Rivers states.

He said the theme of the campaign was: “Harnessing innovation to reduce the disease burden of malaria and save lives.”

Ollandu said the goal of the campaign was to improve women’s knowledge, attitude and practice, particularly among pregnant women, nursing mothers and mothers in vulnerable communities.

“500 women, their families and community leaders in the most endemic communities were directly involved and benefited from the donation of long-lasting insecticide nets.

“The campaign was carried out taking advantage of the primary health care institutions of the communities,” he said.

According to him, in Lagos State, public health centres in Oke-Eletu-Ikorodu Local Government Area, Bola Tinubu-Alimosho Local Government Area and Eredo-Epe Local Government Area were strategically selected. .

“The programme, which was carried out simultaneously, was also carried out in two local government areas in Oyo and Rivers states.

“Door-to-door awareness campaigns were carried out in the vicinity of health centres with a reach of some 4,000 people,” he said.

Ms Abimbola Shobanjo, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at AIICO, stated that the insurance company believed that a healthy country was key to achieving the goal of sustainable development.

Shobanjo stated that AIICO was investing in the health of vulnerable people, especially women, as malaria could limit the ability of pregnant women and children to live to their full potential.

“We are implementing this project in line with our long-term strategy to support a healthy and productive country,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria had about 241 million cases worldwide in 2020.

The disease has remained a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for around 93% of global cases and 94% of all malaria-related deaths. (NAN)