The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Reckitt Benckiser

  • Mortein partners Fed Govt, health ministries to tackle malaria

    Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Nigeria, makers of Mortein insecticide brand, has partnered with the Federal Government and some states in its bid to reduce malaria.

    It has joined forces with Lagos, Ogun and Abia ministries of health as well as the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) Abuja as part of efforts to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality rates.

    To commemorate the theme for this year’s World Malaria Day (WMD): “Ready to Beat Malaria”, RB, the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders participated in a road walk.

    RB Marketing Director, West Africa, Aliza Leferink said malaria was still prevalent going by the latest World Health Organisation (QHO) World Malaria Report released in November 2017.

    According to the report, there were 216 million cases of malaria in 2016, up from 211 million cases in 2015. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 445 000 in 2016, a similar number to the previous year of 446 000.

    An estimated 445,000 pregnant women and children aged below five die every year from malaria with Africa accounting for over 90 per cent of global malaria cases and deaths.

    “As I speak to you, millions of people are suffering from malaria all over Nigeria and every minute a child reportedly dies from malaria. According to the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBMP), Nigeria is the highest malaria-burden country, accounting for 26 percent of global malaria cases and almost a third of related deaths.

    “This puts a strain on health systems and national malaria program budgets, hence calling for sophisticated intervention adaptable in combating and eliminating malaria and malaria transmission to its barest minimum.”

    The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Dr. Audu Bala Mohammed, said the fight against malaria was an ongoing one and is a fight to the finish.

    “We have also tackled the emergence of drug and insecticide resistance. It is our firm belief that Nigeria will join countries that have eliminated malaria in the world,” he added

    Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, Reckitt Benckiser, West Africa, Mrs. Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola said the Mortein brand has continuously put structures in place that will drastically reduce the intensity of malaria transmission through sustainable initiatives.

    “Mortein’s vision is to have a malaria-free Nigeria and efforts towards elimination of malaria is taken further yearly through our infomercial on the WHO 3 step integrated approach as well as several other initiatives, such as community sensitisation, free malaria tests in markets,  education and distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs)  to the most vulnerable in partnership with the state malaria program officers, which promotes good health and wellbeing while imploring all to take a stand with Mortein in the fight to beat malaria,” she said.

    Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole said the Federal Government through the NMEP has achieved remarkable strides in its various interventions, having trained numerous healthcare providers, distributed doses of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) drugs and delivered units of Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT) kits to states.

    “A malaria-free Nigeria is possible through a stronger inter-sectorial coordination, implementation of well-known and cost-effective interventions, supported by a strong accountability framework and a strengthened primary health care system.

    “These will facilitate timely allocation of adequate resources and access to basic health services to the population, particularly the underserved population,” he said.

    The minister praised Mortein for its work and continuous support in the fight against malaria, and pledged the Federal government’s commitment to work with RB/ Mortein to ensure total eradication of malaria in the country.

    Health commissioners in Lagos, Ogun and Abia also praised Mortein for teaming up with them in the fight against malaria.

  • Reckitt Benckiser renews commitment to diarrhea eradication

    Reckitt Benckiser renews commitment to diarrhea eradication

    Reckitt Benckiser,  the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company, has renewed its commitment to the eradication of diarrhea among children.

    The company marked the Global Handwashing Day (GHD) with the donation of a borehole and ultra-modern hand washing sites with pictorial illustrations on the steps to effective Handwashing to the United Christian Nursery and Primary School in Apapa Lagos.

    Kids were taught hand-washing using amusing, easy-to-remember and innovative learning methods all in a bid to ensure the spread of infectious diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery are greatly curtailed.

    According to a statement available on Global Hand-washing webpage, proper handwashing requires soap and running water. A tap is not necessary for handwashing: running water can also be achieved by pouring water from a basin or constructing a “Tippy Tap”—cans or plastic bottles that release just enough for a clean hand wash each time they are tipped.

    RB took the initiative to impart this vital Handwashing knowledge to children since they are known as change agents with a malleable and receptive mind.

    In celebration of the 2016 Global Handwashing Day, Dettol organised a Handwashing event where they donated handwashing sites and a Borehole to United Christian Nursery & Primary school Apapa, Lagos. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, RB West Africa, Rahul Murgai, “In RB, our global vision is to provide the world with innovative solutions and products for healthier lives and happier homes. Dettol has been the trusted champion for good health and hygiene for over 50 years in Nigeria. We believe that it’s important to inculcate good habits at an early age. A simple act of washing your hands with soap can prevent illness and diarrhoea related deaths if we truly want to achieve the millennium development goal of a Clean and Healthy Nigeria. The Global Handwashing Day gives us the opportunity to leverage a larger eco system and an awareness platform to achieve this objective.”

    Speaking further at the event, Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Aliza Leferink said: “The donation of the Dettol Handwash site and Borehole to the school was to enable the school children and teachers cultivate proper handwashing habits that would ultimately reduce the risk of infections. Promoted on a wide enough scale, handwashing with soap can be thought of as a ‘do-it-yourself’ solution against preventable illnesses because it is easy, effective, and affordable”.

    A statement by the company said: “Dettol in Nigeria has consistently endeavored to create mass awareness among mothers and children. In the last 6 years, they have reached out to over 6 million Nigerian children and mothers through their School Hygiene Program and various other initiatives in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association and Save the Children to create a Healthy Nigeria and reduce Diarrhoea related deaths.”

  • Reckitt Benckiser partners govt

    Reckitt Benckiser partners govt

    Reckitt Benckiser (RB) yesterday proposed a deal with the Federal Government to fight diarrhoea, which claims the lives of nearly 100,000 children under five years of age annually.

    The Managing Director, RB West Africa, Mr. Rahul Murgai, made this known when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo hosted officials of the company in Abuja. The officials included RB West Africa and global team members along with ‘Save the Children’ representatives. They were in Abuja to share the proposal and discuss avenues of partnership with government.

    Murgai said RB’s global vision is to provide its consumers with innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes. He said RB has been operating in Nigeria for over 50 years and Nigeria remains one of the key priority markets for continued focus and investment.

    Accordingly, RB has been working to create a culture of health and hygiene and is present in country with its portfolio of trusted brands like Dettol, Nurofen, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Durex, Harpic, Mortein, and Air Wick.

  • Anti-malaria campaign begins

    Anti-malaria campaign begins

    Reckitt Benckiser has restated its commitment to create innovative solutions for the consumers.

    The Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, spoke at a community engagement to commemorate the World Malaria Day in Lagos.

    He said in demonstration of the company’s commitment to innovation and consumer satisfaction,  its insecticide brand, Mortein, was collaborating in the global fight against malaria.

    “The vision and mission of RB (Reckitt Benckiser) globally is actually providing consumers healthier lives and happier homes. That is our vision, and that is why we up wake every day, and go to the office to create innovative solutions for the consumers. To achieve that vision, we see that malaria is a serious threat to the health of the consumers and that is why we are taking it very seriously and partnering with government to fight against it,’’ he said.

    Silivrili further said the launch of Mortein anti-malaria campaign in Nigeria and across some other African countries, two years ago, was also part of the company’s leadership in innovation and responsible corporate citizenship.

    During the community engagement at Tego Barracks open field, Marine Beach in Apapa, hundreds of residents trooped out for malaria screening conducted with the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

    Also as part of the World Malaria Day, Mortein presented certificates and baby gift items to some new babies at the General Hospital, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Primary Health Centre, Ijora.

    Among the beneficiaries were Mrs. Gift Odia and her baby boy and Mrs. Kafayat Tajudeen and her new born girl. The children were picked for being born on April 25,  the World Malaria Day.

    Residents at the event also received free cans of Mortein and insecticide treated nets.

    He Silivrili assured Nigerians of Mortein’s unshaken commitment to the fight against malaria.

    The Chairman, Apapa Local Government, Ayodeji Joseph; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Omodele Osunkiyesi and Sarki Hausawa of Lagos State, Alhaji Sani Kabiru represented by the Sarki Hausawa of  Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, commended Mortein and stakeholders for fighting malaria in the state.

     

  • Minister: we must kill malaria

    Minister: we must kill malaria

    Minister of Health Onyebuchi Chukwu has said the war against malaria must be won.

    He spoke at a programme by Reckitt Benckiser to mark this year’s World Malaria Day in Umuahia, Abia State.

    Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser, Rahul Morgai, said the company was committed to the fight against malaria in Nigeria.

    He said: “If according to the World Health Organisation, malaria still kills 3,000 children under the age of five every day and one African child still dies every 30 seconds while sub-Saharan Africa bears 90 per cent of the burden, then we all must rise to the occasion and put an end to malaria in Nigeria.

    “We believe the larger cause can be addressed if only we reach the masses through scaled awareness creation and education. Our approach therefore will not be a silver bullet approach. After today’s celebration, we have committed to supporting the Abia State Government on the Roll Back Malaria initiative by ensuring that the message of this campaign can be taken to hospitals in the crooks and crannies of Abia State.”

    Chukwu urged Mortein to help spread the message of the campaign against malaria.

    The minister said: “I encourage us all to strive towards effective leadership and partnership, which I believe will give us the needed leverage to free Nigeria and indeed Africa of malaria. I call on everyone to play an active part in this fight because together, we can have a malaria free Nigeria.”