Each year, it is estimated that about 300,000 Nigerians die of malaria related illnesses with urgent action required to address its prevalence. Globally, World Malaria Day, which takes place on 25 April each year, is an internationally recognized day, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made.The theme of this year’s celebration is #zeromalariastartswithme.
In Nigeria, May & Baker, one of Nigeria’s foremost pharmaceutical companies, has been at the forefront of the campaign to reduce the burden of malaria through the introduction of several life-saving interventions, the latest being Malact, one of Nigeria’s most effective anti-malaria drug. As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives on World Malaria Day to create awareness on the scourge, the company organized a free Malaria testing and drug distribution outreach for over 250 residents of Moshalashi Alhaja, Agege, a highly populated suburb of Lagos.
The initiative also involved staff of May &Baker in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority carrying out an environmental sanitation exercise in the community to promote awareness on how proper environmental management can help reduce the transmission of malaria in line with the theme of this year’s celebrations.
Commenting on the campaign, Mr. Chukutem Chukuka, Executive Director, Pharma Sales and Marketing, May & Baker Nigeria said the medical outreach was designed to sensitize Nigerians about the scourge of malaria and guide them on how best to live a malaria free life.
“As a leading pharmaceutical company, May & Baker is committed to the fight against malaria in Nigeria, primarily through several enlightenment campaigns in communities on prevention as well as the provision and distribution of high-quality antimalarial drugs at affordable prices. The 2019 World Malaria Day offers us another opportunity to reiterate the preventable nature of Malaria and introduce Malact, a Dihydro arteminsin-Piperaquine combination based formulation which ensures fast relief from malaria and guarantees better post treatment protection’, Mr. Chukuka said.
During the medical outreach, packets of Malact, the effective and fast relief anti-malaria drug was distributed to residents who tested positive for Malaria and in turn, they expressed appreciation to May & Baker for the programme. One of the residents of Moshalashi Alhaja, Agege who could not hide her joy is Yukura Ibrahim, a shop owner in the neighborhood.
“I am indeed grateful to May& Baker for this medical intervention and awareness in my neighbourhood. I am a beneficiary of the free malaria testing and immediately received a pack of Malact to treat the disease after it was discovered that I had malaria. May & Baker is a pharmaceutical company that has become a household name and their presence here is responsible for the high turnout” Mrs. Ibrahim said.
Another resident of the suburb, Mr. Taiwo Adekunle, said he didn’t know he had malaria until he was tested and found to be sick of the disease. He was subsequently given Malact to treat the malaria. “I am happy today that God brought May & Baker to this vicinity. I have received a lot of
information on malaria and was even tested for free and they discovered I had malaria, unknown to me. We thank them for this initiative on a day like this”.
