The Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation Core group on Tuesday held a Malaria Action Programme in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River on prevention of spread of malaria.

The team leader, Mr. Bassey Nsa, a Behavioural Change and Communication Officer, said the team’s visit to Akpabuyo Communities was to identify and interact with specific families in the community.

“To interview, take conversation notes and record their malaria related stories. And also to identify community champions who are models on appropriate malaria prevention and treatment practices.

“As well as assess volunteers’ home visits and the impact of the messages and also document success stories in the Communities, share experiences and get feedback,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Phil-Anthony Ogbeche, a team member posed some questions to the communities and shared success stories on malaria control.

In an interactive session, Mr. Sunday John, of Ikot Asiko community commended the volunteers for educating them on the dangers of malaria.

Another community representative, Mrs. Iquo Edem, said they have been better informed of the danger of malaria.

“We now know malaria to be a disease that kills, and that has been disturbing their health due to the environment they were living,” she said.

Other speakers at the session said they have been visiting health centres for treatment whenever they discover the symptoms of malaria.

They said they appreciated the good messages they have been receiving on how to prevent malaria by using long lasting mosquito nets.

“Keeping our environment clean, avoid exposing our bodies to sand fly and making sure that we drink clean water,” the communities said.

The community appealed to the State Government to provide them with new mosquito nets, adding that the ones they were using were old.

They also demanded for drugs and any other chemicals that would help them prevent the spread of mosquito.

The MAP members advised the people to visit any of the health centres nearer to them with two passport photographs, to collect new mosquito nets free.

The community members were also advised to visit health centers whenever they fell sick and to always ensure that they undergo medical test before receiving treatment.

The team further advised the communities to avoid self medication and buying of fake drugs in the name of medicine.

The programme was sponsored by USAID with the view to reducing incidents of malaria in the community and add value to the lives of the people.