Kogi Intensifies Malaria Fight as PHCDA Boss Backs 2026 ITN Mass Campaign

The Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr. Muazu Omeiza Musa, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the successful implementation of the 2026 Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) Mass Campaign across the state.

Dr. Muazu gave the assurance during an advocacy meeting in Lokoja, stressing that the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases remain key priorities of the Kogi State Government’s healthcare agenda.

He described the mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets as a vital and cost-effective intervention for reducing malaria transmission, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.

According to him, the agency will mobilise healthcare workers, logistics channels and Primary Healthcare Centres across all 21 Local Government Areas to ensure effective coverage and smooth implementation of the campaign.

The Executive Director commended the strategic support of the Kogi State Government under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, as well as the contributions of international and local partner organisations.

He stressed that strong inter-agency collaboration would be crucial to achieving the campaign’s targets, assuring stakeholders that the agency’s technical team was fully prepared to support the logistics, monitoring and quality assurance processes required for a successful rollout.

Earlier, the Campaign Team Leader, Suleiman Rafiat Ebim, appealed for greater inter-sectoral support and community participation to ensure that every eligible household across Kogi State is reached.

Suleiman noted that although technical preparations for the campaign had been completed, grassroots cooperation and logistical support remained critical, particularly in reaching remote, hard-to-reach and riverine communities.

She therefore appealed to the Agency to facilitate the release of relevant staff across the state to participate in the distribution exercise.

She also called on Local Government Council Chairmen, traditional and community leaders, volunteer groups and other stakeholders to provide the necessary support to prevent delays and distribution bottlenecks.

The implementation team further appealed to the Agency to ensure that the ITN campaign does not disrupt routine Primary Healthcare activities, while providing adequate support for campaign activities at the Local Government level.

The team also requested the timely release of staff for the exercise and emphasised the need for clearly defined responsibilities and effective coordination among all participating personnel.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that with the commitment of the Kogi State Government, KSPHCDA, development partners and communities, the 2026 ITN Mass Campaign would achieve its objective of protecting households across the state from malaria and contributing significantly to the reduction of malaria transmission in Kogi State.