World Malaria Day: LAWMA boss calls for a clean environment

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has underlined the importance of maintaining a clean environment to combat the spread of malaria.

He said this in a statement to mark this year’s World Malaria Day, with the theme: ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a fairer world’.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had noted that approximately 249 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 608,000 deaths, which occurred mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, remaining a major global challenge.

He said that although malaria was mainly transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the prevalence and severity of the disease could be significantly reduced through preventive measures, anchored in a clean environment, as one of the most effective strategies.

According to him: “Prevention is crucial in the fight against malaria. One of the most effective preventive measures is to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by ensuring a clean and hygienic environment. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, garbage dumps and other unsanitary areas. By keeping our homes and surroundings clean, we can significantly reduce the mosquito population and thus the transmission of malaria.”

Gbadegesin urged residents to actively participate in efforts to maintain a clean environment, by shunning indiscriminate waste disposal, cleaning their surroundings and patronizing assigned PSP operators, adding that individual actions make a significant could have an impact on public health.

“Each of us has a responsibility to keep our environment clean. By properly disposing of waste, eliminating stagnant water and practicing good sanitation, we can protect ourselves and our communities from the devastating effects of malaria,” he stressed.

The LAWMA boss reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to promoting the clean environment and public health, with effective collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste across the state, while also implementing educational campaigns to spread awareness on the importance of environmental health to increase.

“As the world marks World Malaria Day, I would like to reassure residents of LAWMA’s total commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and public health. Through joint efforts between government agencies, communities and individuals, a cleaner and healthier environment can be achieved, leading to a significant reduction in the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases,” he stressed.

To learn more about LAWMA’s initiatives and how you can support efforts to maintain a clean environment, visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.