26/04/2026
๐ง๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ
Yesterday, being 25th of April 2026, members of the Public Health Society Against Infectious Diseases (PHSAID), University of Port Harcourt Chapter, commemorated World Malaria Day with a series of community-focused activities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event began with a marching procession from the University of Port Harcourt arena to Alakahia Community, drawing attention to the ongoing fight against malaria and the need for collective action. Participants, including students and public health advocates, used the walk to engage residents and raise awareness about prevention and early treatment.
At the community outreach site, PHSAID provided free malaria testing and distributed Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) to individuals who tested positive. In addition, insecticide-treated mosquito nets were given out to help reduce exposure to mosquitoes bites. Attendees also benefited from free vital signs checks and received health education on malaria prevention, symptoms, and treatment options as well as on the need for environmental sanitation, emphasizing the importance of clean surroundings in reducing mosquito breeding sites.
The 2026 World Malaria Day theme, โDriven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,โ underscored the urgency of sustained efforts to combat the disease. PHSAID highlighted that malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, contributing significantly to illness and death, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The outreach aimed to reinforce the importance of preventive measures, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment, while encouraging community members to take an active role in the fight against malaria.
