Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said only a holistic approach can stop malaria and other tropical diseases.
The governor spoke in Asaba when he received a former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and his Southsouth advocacy group on the control of malaria and tropical diseases.
He hailed Gowon for his commitment to the Nigerian project, assuring him that his administration will support the fight against tropical diseases.
Okowa supported the use of mosquito-treated nets to check malaria, but noted that a holistic approach to tackle the disease will relieve the people.
He said: “I support the campaign for distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, but we should try a holistic approach to control malaria.
“Until we do this, we will find that year in, year out, we will keep on distributing nets while we are not controlling malaria holistically.
“We need to combine the nets and other control measures in the fight against malaria.
“Until we start driving our nation in this direction, we may not get result.
“In the long run, we will find that the money we have put into distribution of mosquito nets could have produced better results, using a holistic approach.’’
Gen. Gowon said the team was on advocacy visit for eradication of malaria, river blindness, elephantiasis and other tropical diseases.