Yemisi Izuora
Ikeja Electric Plc. has joined the global fight against malaria as it marked World Malaria Day with the donation of treated mosquito nets and medical tests to six riverine communities in Lagos.
Determined to combat the dreaded disease, which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, Ikeja Electric partnered with frontline Health Management Organization, Hygeia HMO Limited, to donate the Malaria prevention items to residents of Olambe, Igando, Ilaje-Bariga, Ijede, Oke-ira and Aboru communities of Lagos State.
IE’s Head Corporate Communications of Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue explained that as a socially responsible corporate citizen, the Day provided an opportunity for the company to provide support in fighting malaria and contributing its quota to ensuring a relatively healthier society.
“In line with this year’s theme, we are working to bridge the gap in malaria prevention in riverine communities and that is why we decided to partner with Hygeia to sensitize the community on Malaria prevention with the distribution of over 1000 treated mosquito nets and also provided provide free medical tests and treatment to members of communities most prone to the disease”, he said.
To ensure a seamless intervention exercise, Ikeja Electric had earlier on mobilised communities via various Community Development Committees, who in turn called on risk prone members of communities such as pregnant women and nursing mothers, urging them to attend the medical intervention exercise.
Hygiea on their part, deployed mini malaria test centers across all locations visited. The treated nets were then distributed after representatives educated on the need to keep living areas neat and free from stagnant and dirty water which makes a good breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Some of the beneficiaries of the initiative commended the company for its efforts in giving back to the society.
The initiative, which is part of Ikeja Electric’s Personal-Corporate Social Responsibility (P-CSR) Action plan, forms part of IE’s long standing commitment to giving back to host communities within her coverage area.