By : Dorothy Onoja
The Malaria Consortium, an International Non-Governmental Organization, has launched a Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme in Kogi State towards combating malaria.
The programme is aimed at preventing malaria in vulnerable populations, particularly children under five, by administering monthly doses of anti-malaria drugs.
According to the Kogi State Project Manager of Malaria Consortium,
Pharmacist Andrew Okwulu, SMC is a highly effective intervention to prevent malaria among those that are most vulnerable to diseases and infection. “It involves administering monthly doses of anti-malaria drugs,” he said.
Pharmacist Andrew emphasized the importance of addressing malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, and neglected tropical diseases, which are preventable, but still lead to significant deaths in children under five.
“We had 40,678 confirmed malaria cases among children under five, and 683 severe malaria cases in 2024. If left unattended, uncomplicated malaria can progress to severe malaria, leading to hospitalization and death. Unfortunately, we also recorded 12 deaths due to malaria in children under five, although the actual numbers might be higher due to underreporting,” Andrew said.
Pharm. Rabiu Salihu Mohammed, who represented the focal person on the state malaria elimination program, noted that the parley was an opportunity for journalists to be kept abreast of the malaria elimination program in the state and to assist in informing and dispelling misconception .
The Kogi State Focal Person of ACSM, Mr Orimodu Matthew
highlighted that there were several challenges in implementing malaria control programs, including funding and resource mobilization, logistics and supply chain management as well as human resource constraints.
He suggested seeking funding from international organizations, governments, and private donors, emphasizing the need to implement robust supply chain systems and leveraging technology for tracking and monitoring.
Dr. Salamotu Usman, the Kogi State Focal Person of FAMKRIS Health Initiative, noted that the FAMKRIS Health Care Initiative is working to expand malaria prevention interventions in Kogi State, including ITN distribution and IPT, adding that the organization is collaborating with the National Malaria Elimination Program, the State Malaria Elimination Program, and local government structures to achieve its objectives.
Chiyere Okoro of FAMKRIS Health Care Initiative explained that the Support to Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP) aims to increase awareness and knowledge about malaria prevention and treatment among community members.
The goal of the programme is to ensure that every community member knows about the benefits of testing before treating malaria, free Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) and malaria treatment services in health facilities, and becoming a malaria advocate.
The Malaria Consortium has been working in Nigeria since 2008 and has been implementing SMC programmes since 2014.
The consortium is currently working in 18 out of 21 states in Nigeria.
The media parley, organized by the consortium in conjunction with the Kogi State Ministry of Health under the State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP) and SMC, aimed to ensure that information dissemination plays a key role in the malaria elimination program.
The Malaria Consortium’s partnership with the Kogi State government and other stakeholders is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the programme, just as the SMC program is part of the consortium’s broader efforts to improve health and save lives in communities affected by malaria and associated health issues.
The parley was attended by journalists, health officials, and other stakeholders.
Dorothy Onoja
PRO
Ministry of Health
