By Portia Osayande
In observance of the year 2025 World Malaria Day, the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS), in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Health, has launched a comprehensive outreach across the three senatorial districts of the State, as part of efforts geared towards intensifying the fight against malaria, ahead of the rainy season.
This year’s commemoration themed, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” highlighted the need for renewed and coordinated efforts to expand access to prevention tools, provide free screening and treatment, and strengthen public health education, particularly in most vulnerable areas. EDOHIS leveraged on the opportunity to align its ongoing initiatives of free malaria treatment with the global call for a collective action to combat malaria.
Speaking to reporters during the outreach, the Director General of EDOHIS, Mrs. Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, emphasized the alignment between the theme and the Scheme’s mandate, stating, “At EDOHIS, this theme speaks directly to our mission—to reimagine healthcare access, reinvest in life-saving interventions, and reignite community responsibility in the fight against malaria.”
Mrs. Ikpea-Enaholo expressed gratitude to the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, and partners for their continued support in malaria prevention. In her words, “With the Governor’s backing, the Ministry of Health, and our partners, we have successfully scaled up efforts in insecticide-treated mosquito net distribution, improved diagnostic testing and treatment through EDOHIS health plans, and increased awareness across all 18 local government areas (LGAs). We also acknowledge the tireless efforts of our frontline health workers in making these initiatives impactful.”
The EDOHIS Boss encouraged residents to play active roles in malaria prevention; urging them to sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, seek early diagnosis, and maintain clean environments. She emphasised that malaria can end with us, if we act together, reaffirming EDOHIS’ ongoing commitments to a malaria-free future for Edo State.
In Edo South, the outreach events took place at multiple locations including the Edo State Ministry of Health, the University of Benin Health Centre, and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Uhogua, where persons received insecticide-treated nets, free malaria screening and treatment, and educational materials on malaria prevention. The initiative introduced participants to the benefits of enrolling in EDOHIS for accessible and affordable healthcare.
Edo North location was at the Jattu Primary Health Centre, where attendees were provided with free malaria tests, medications, and insecticide-treated nets. Health educators engaged with the community on the benefits of enrolling in EDOHIS, which covers treatment for non-referral ailments at minimal cost for one year.
The Chairman of Etsako West LGA, Hon. Okwilague Omoareye and the LGA Director of Primary Health Care, Dr. Isebemhe, commended the collaborative efforts of EDOHIS and the Ministry of Health and expressed gratitude to Sen. Okpebholo, the Commissioner for Health Dr. Cyril Oshiomole, and Mrs. Ikpea-Enaholo for their commitments to the health of Edo citizens.
At the Comprehensive Primary Health Centre, Ukpenu, in Edo Central, similar activities took place, including free malaria testing, treatment, and distribution of insecticide-treated nets, along with health sensitisation. The initiatives underscored the vital roles of community participation and reliable healthcare access in controlling malaria transmission.
As the outreaches concluded, officials reminded the public that malaria continues to be one of the leading causes of illness and death in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting children under five and pregnant women. Malaria also places a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system, perpetuating cycles of poverty and reducing productivity. Prevention methods such as using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, seeking early diagnosis, and maintaining clean surroundings remain essential in mitigating the spread of the disease.
EDOHIS reaffirmed its commitment to malaria eradication, by continuing to engage with communities and offer accessible healthcare plans, as part of a collective effort to bring Edo State to a malaria-free future.
The World Malaria Day is commemorated on 25th April, annually.
