The Oyo State Government through the State Primary Health Care Board has commemorated the 2026 World Malaria Day with a series of impactful activities aimed at strengthening public awareness, promoting preventive healthcare practices, and reducing the burden of malaria across communities in the state.
The commemoration, themed *“Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,”* featured a colorful awareness rally, free malaria testing services, and the distribution of free antimalarial drugs to residents, particularly vulnerable groups within various communities.
The event attracted health professionals, community leaders, stakeholders, women groups, youths, and residents who participated actively in the campaign against malaria.
The awareness rally moved through major parts of the community with participants displaying educational placards and sensitizing residents on the importance of environmental sanitation, proper hygiene, and the use of preventive measures such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
The event further provided an opportunity for residents to access free malaria screening and treatment services, thereby encouraging early detection and prompt medical intervention.
Health workers at the venue also offered counselling and health education sessions to participants.
Speaking at the rally, Dr. Abiodun Akande, the Director Special Duties, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, charged residents of the Community and other beneficiaries to remain vigilant in the fight against malaria by embracing preventive measures and maintaining clean environments.
He advised residents to ensure proper waste disposal, clear drainage channels around their homes, and avoid practices that encourage mosquito breeding, stressing that environmental cleanliness plays a major role in malaria prevention.
He also encouraged community members to make proper use of Primary Health Care facilities within their communities for timely testing, treatment, and other essential healthcare services, noting that early diagnosis remains one of the most effective approaches to malaria control.
Mrs. Grace Omobolanle Dotun-Fasasi, the Malaria Desk Officer, while addressing the gathering, urged pregnant women to register and attend antenatal clinics regularly at the nearest Primary Health Care facilities for proper screening, preventive care, and professional medical attention throughout pregnancy.
She emphasized that early healthcare intervention and routine medical checkups remain critical in protecting both mother and child from malaria-related complications, adding that pregnant women should never ignore symptoms associated with malaria during pregnancy.
Mrs. Dotun-Fasasi further encouraged women and caregivers to take advantage of government healthcare programmes available at Primary Health Care centres across the state, noting that accessible healthcare remains a key strategy in reducing maternal and child mortality.
The World Malaria Day commemoration once again reflected the unwavering commitment of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board to promoting quality healthcare delivery, protecting vulnerable populations, and sustaining healthier communities across Oyo State through continuous health awareness, disease prevention, and accessible healthcare services.