“The Great Step Initiative "Lifesaving Initiative": Distributing Mosquito Nets to Elderly and Pregnant Women Refugees in Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende Refugee Settlements in Ogoja Town, Cross River State, Nigeria”

Providing Mosquito Nets for Elderly and Pregnant Women Refugees in Cross River State, Nigeria

Project Title: Distribution of Mosquito Nets to Elderly and Pregnant Women Refugees

Introduction The distribution of mosquito nets to elderly and pregnant women refugees is a project aimed at providing protection against mosquito-borne diseases in Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende refugee settlements located in Ogoja towns. This project was a duration of one year and benefited a total of 480 individuals.

Background: Refugee settlements often face numerous challenges, including inadequate healthcare facilities and limited access to essential resources. Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria pose ass significant threat to the health and well-being of refugees, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly and pregnant women. The distribution of mosquito nets is an effective intervention to reduce the incidence of malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

Objectives: The primary objective of this project is to distribute mosquito nets to elderly and pregnant women refugees residing in Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende refugee settlements. The specific objectives include:

  1. a) Providing mosquito nets to protect against mosquito bites during sleep.
  2. b) Educating beneficiaries on the proper use and maintenance of mosquito nets.
  3. c) Raising awareness about the importance of using mosquito nets for disease prevention.
  4. d) Monitoring the impact of the distribution on reducing malaria cases among the target population.

Beneficiaries A total of 280 individuals will benefit from this project. The beneficiaries will consist of elderly individuals aged 60 years and above, as well as pregnant women residing in Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende refugee settlements. These vulnerable groups are at higher risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases due to their weakened immune systems or physiological changes during pregnancy.

Implementation Plan: The distribution of mosquito nets was carried out over a period of one year. The project was implemented in collaboration with local authorities, refugee camp management, and healthcare providers. The following steps was undertaken:

  1. a) Needs Assessment: A thorough assessment of the number of elderly and pregnant women residing in the target settlements was carriedout to determine the required quantity of mosquito nets.
  2. b) Procurement: Source mosquito nets from reliable suppliers, ensuring they meet quality standards and are treated with insecticides.
  3. c) Training: Provide training sessions to healthcare workers and community volunteers on the proper use and maintenance of mosquito nets.
  4. d) Distribution: Organize distribution events in each settlement, ensuring equitable access to mosquito nets for all eligible beneficiaries.
  5. e) Education and Awareness: Conduct health education sessions to raise awareness about the importance of using mosquito nets and proper hygiene practices.
  6. f) Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor the usage of mosquito nets and track malaria cases among the target population to assess the impact of the intervention.

Sustainability: To ensure the sustainability of this project beyond its duration, efforts will be made to build local capacity. This includes training community members on net maintenance, repair, and replacement. Additionally, partnerships with local health facilities will be established to provide ongoing support and access to healthcare services.

Conclusion: The distribution of mosquito nets to elderly and pregnant women refugees in Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende refugee settlements is a crucial initiative to protect vulnerable populations from mosquito-borne diseases. By providing these individuals with mosquito nets and raising awareness about their importance, this project aims to improve their health outcomes and contribute to overall disease prevention efforts.