By Umar Dankano, Yola.
The Adamawa state government in conjunction with the federal Ministry of Health has concluded arrangements to launch the 2026 integrated seasonal Malaria Chemopreventive(SMC) and Insecticide Treated Nets(ITN) campaign in the state.
Program Manager of the state Malaria Elimination Program,Benjamin Nashon disclosed the development at a media engagement meant to sensitize the media on the proposed 2026 Malaria prevention campaign slated for 26th to 30th June 2026 across the twenty one (21( local government councils in the state.
During the interface held on Saturday in Yola on Saturday, Nashon stressed that two million,five hundred and eighty three (2.583M) treated mosquito nets Will be distributed to over one million,one hundred and fifty (1.150M) residents, and five million (5M) households across 226 political wards in the state.
Nashon announced that over four million ,five hundred(over 4.5million) antimalaria doses of medicine have also been procured for onward distribution for the prevention of children of Three to fifty nine(3-59) months ages.
In her presentation, Ufuoma Agbache, SPC Advisor of the federal Ministry of Health Abuja said that the National Malaria Elimination Program is solely a preventive measures against disease usually caused by female mosquitoes through biting and is meant for children from 3 to 59 months of age.
Agbache explained that the moment the rainfall pattern is high especially in four to five months the raining season then it is recommended by health experts and partners like World Health Organization (WHO) to activate prevention strategy against Malaria disease which according to her is a killer disease.
“WHO has recommended Seasonal Malaria Campaign(SMC) due to its effectiveness and efficiency to the health of our children from 3 to 59 months”.She emphasized.
In their separate remarks as partners for the campaign, Dr.Muhammad Kumo, program and Technical Manager of the Society for Family Health and Dr. Uche of the Management Sciences for Health Organization maintained that the initiative is solely for reduction of Malaria burden and prevention in our communities which plays significant role for the health of our children.
They reiterated the commitments of their organizations in supporting government to ensuring Malaria Elimination and prevention campaigns are successful urging residents to adhere to the slogan “Always hang your net to prevent Malaria related diseases”.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Health,Muh ammad Chubado represented by the permanent secretary, Pharmacist Zira Mathias Babani appreciated the efforts of Federal government and development partners for the timely response with the raining season setting in now.
Chubado stated that over 10,000 adhoc workers have been recruited and trained for this year’s exercise noting that 3,400 are treated nets distributors,9,700 town announcers, with 4 persons per ward, then another 8,198 community drugs administrators.
He added that over 500 supervisors of drugs administration with 7 per per local government area,763 officers in charge of health facilities are also involved then another 6 teams for the state comprising of technical Assistants have all been drafted to ensure success of the campaign
