BY PATRICK MGBODO
Wives of officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Delta State Command have stepped beyond traditional homefront roles to champion the fight against malaria and drive public health advocacy.
To this end, the Immigration Officers Wives Association (IMMOWA), Delta State Command, in collaboration with Sam Pharmaceuticals Nig Ltd and the Ministry of Health, organized a free medical outreach to mark World Malaria Day.
The event, held at the Command Headquarters along the Asaba/Ibusa Expressway, featured the free distribution of treated mosquito nets, free malaria testing, free drug administration, and health talks for officers and community residents.
In his remarks, the state Comptroller of the Immigration Service, Mr Oyebode Odesola commended IMMOWA for the initiative and stressed that the outreach was apt to save Deltans, particularly women and children, from the scourge of malaria.
Odesola, represented by the state Deputy Comptroller, Theresa Okoye charged Deltans to be intentional in protecting themselves from mosquitoes with treated nets and keeping their environment clean and free of vectors.
Flagging off the event, the traditional ruler of Ibusa, HRM Obi (Prof) Louis Nwaoboshi, represented by Chief Michael Nwabuoku urged officers and residents to protect themselves against Malaria using the nets.
Addressing journalists, the Chairperson of IMMOWA, Delta State branch, Mrs Christy Odesola said the project was inspired to rid the state of malaria, adding that IMMOWA remains committed to supporting their husbands to make an impact in society.
She thanked the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Sam Pharmaceuticals for their support in ensuring the success of the medical outreach and malaria awareness campaign.
Others who spoke, including Deputy Comptrollers Mathew Izediunor and Dauda Ikharo noted the importance of a healthy home for the optimal performance of officers, just as they commended IMMOWA for the gesture.
Present at the flag-off were the Police Officers Wives, Civil Defence Officers Wives Association, Road Safety Officers Wives Association, and Nigeria Correctional Officers Wives Association, among others.
