PRESS RELEASE
UNIMED TEACHING HOSPITAL MARKS 2025 WORLD MALARIA DAY WITH PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
In a proactive move to curb public negligence and the persistent burden of malaria, the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo State, commemorated the 2025 World Malaria Day with activities aimed at reviving public consciousness on malaria prevention and control.
Celebrated annually on April 25, World Malaria Day raises global awareness about the deadly disease transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. The 2025 theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” calls for renewed strategies and strengthened commitment toward eradicating malaria.
Speaking at the event, Acting Chief Medical Director of UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Dr. Olumide Michael Gbala, described the commemoration as a sober reminder that despite significant investments and decades of effort, malaria continues to pose a major threat to humanity, particularly across Africa. He emphasized that the theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies and sustained commitment to defeat the disease.
Dr. Gbala noted that malaria transmission persists due to multiple factors, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to preventive measures, and growing resistance to interventions. He stressed that sustained investment and unwavering dedication to malaria control efforts are critical to achieving long-term elimination goals.
Highlighting the importance of community involvement, Dr. Gbala emphasized that active public engagement can foster a sense of ownership and drive behavioral change. As part of its commitment, UNIMEDTH organized a public roadshow at Lipakala Junction, alongside offering free malaria testing services to members of the public and hospital staff.
Adding her voice, Mrs. Loto Antonia, a Medical Laboratory Scientist, reaffirmed the hospital’s dedication to fighting malaria. She echoed the global call for innovation and reinvestment, and outlined key prevention strategies, including the use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), prompt diagnosis and treatment, and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites within communities.
Similarly, Mrs. Adebola Ogunleye, also a Medical Laboratory Scientist, highlighted the grave consequences of poor hygiene practices and the failure to use mosquito nets. She stressed the need for collaborative efforts involving individuals, governments, corporate bodies, and international organizations, urging sustained investment and unwavering commitment to malaria control to secure a healthier, malaria-free future.
UNIMED Teaching Hospital remains steadfast in its mission to champion public health initiatives that contribute to the eradication of malaria and the advancement of a healthier society.
Oluwatope Akinjide
Head, Media and Publicity
UNIMED Teaching Hospital
28th April, 2025
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