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Malaria induced deaths in Nigeria are much higher than deaths ascribed to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other related ailments.
This fact was made known yesterday at a press conference addressed by Dr Lanre Tejuoso, where he announced formation of the Iyalode Tejuoso Malaria Foundation (IMF) to intensify efforts at eradicating the disease from Africa.
Tejuoso said while malaria kills at least one million people each year, the nation loses over N132 billion due to absenteeism from work, school and farm, as a result of the disease.
He said the primary objective of the Foundation is to embark on an aggressive mission of malaria eradication in Africa as a whole, with an initial focus on Nigeria.
"The IMF Operation Global Mosquito Incapacitation Programme is an aggressive malaria preventive mission that will involve the application of effective and environment-friendly insect repellent paint, and distribution of other effective vector destruction tools, anti-malaria drugs and insecticide nets in all public homes, schools, other public places and rural areas throughout the country free of charge", Tejuoso said.
He said the insect repellent paint is a new and innovative method in combating the spread of malaria by blocking the feeding mechanism of mosquitoes, thereby making them starve to death.
The formal launching of the Foundation is scheduled for Valley View Auditorium of the Government House, Abeokuta, on Monday.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Rotimi Vaughan, coordinator of IMF, disclosed that the foundation was set up in memory of Chief (Mrs) Bisoye Esther Tejuoso, by his grandson, Lanre.
Vaughan counselled Nigerians to maintain the habit of cleanliness in their homes since malaria is no respecter of class.
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