LLIN: Residents Complain Of Unavailability…..Govt Promises To Address Shortfalls

FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

As the State Government of Osun and its partners have commenced the distribution of the 2.99 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) in the State of Osun, complaints have started to emanate from different quarters over the unavailability of the anti-mosquito nets.

Majority of the complaints are coming from residents who reside in areas like Ogo-oluwa, Ofatedo, LAUTECH Estate, Owode-Ilesa, and Fakunle Alabameta amongst others.

Their complaints were that when they got wind of the distribution of the treated nets, they expected officials to come to their residents, but were told that the distribution was going on in the public health facilities closer to them.

Some of them who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER revealed that before the house enumeration began, they had obtained prior information about the exercise but were surprised as they never see any enumerator visit them.

“We made alternative arrangements to get the nets at the health centres but were denied because we could not present net cards which qualifies us for collection.

“We tried to explain to them that it was not our fault, but because, our houses were not captured by the enumerators. All our pleas fell on deaf ears of the officials in charge.

“We were told that since we were not captured by the enumerators, we should wait till after the exercise was over to procure ours”.

An on-the-spot assessment by this medium during the exercise observed that enumerators effectively captured area like Jaleyemi, Mallam Tope, Ayetoro and some other areas of Osogbo, but also observed that some areas were left uncovered.

Some residents have also complained of malpractice against officials distribution the nets, alleging that some families were given more than the required number of nets.

Meanwhile, Dr. Adepoju, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health, revealed that the problem had been noted, but since distribution was on going, there was need to wait for the donating partners after which alternative action would be taken to address the shortfalls.

It would be recalled that a total of 2.99 million LLINs have been earmarked for free distribution during the 2017 replacement campaign.