Stanbic IBTC supports fight against malaria

Stanbic IBTC, a member of the Standard Bank Group, has reiterated its commitment towards fighting the malaria scourge.

Over the weekend, the organisation, in collaboration with Slum2School, a non-government organisation, distributed treated mosquito nets to school children in the Makoko, Yaba area of Lagos State.

The distribution took place at Adekunle Anglican School, Makoko, as part of activities to commemorate the 2018 World Malaria Day. A similar gesture was extended to schools in Takwa Bay, Lagos as well as in select public schools in Bayelsa State and Rivers State, all of which are riverine areas with high risk and incidence of malaria especially amongst children.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Yinka Sanni, represented by the Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Nominees Limited, Mr. Babatunde Majiyagbe, said the medical outreach, distribution of the mosquito nets and similar interventions are Stanbic IBTC’s contribution to the eradication of the malaria pandemic. This, he said, is in line with the 2018 theme for World Malaria Day, ‘’Ready to Beat Malaria’’ to eradicate malaria and other forms of diseases through appropriate interventions. Such interventions in the health sector, he stated, is one of the three key pillars of Stanbic IBTC Group’s corporate social investment philosophy, the others being education and economic empowerment.

“We have no doubt that these little steps we have taken today will contribute in reducing the malaria scourge in Nigeria and help to ensure that our children, irrespective of their social status or circumstance, live a healthy, malaria-free life so that they can concentrate on their education and stand a chance of actualising their potential,” said Sanni.

Malaria, which is a preventable and treatable disease, is the largest public health burden in Nigeria.

According to the World Health Organization, about 173 million Nigerians and inhabitants are estimated to be at risk of malaria. Nigeria accounts for 30 percent of malaria burden worldwide, with pregnant women and children under 5 years being the most vulnerable groups. Ninety-seven percent of Nigerians are at risk from malaria, with an estimated 50 percent of adults suffering at least one episode of the disease a year.

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