The National Coordinator for the National Malaria Elimination Program, Dr Perpetua Uhomoibhi, said 27 million children between the ages of three months and five years from 21 co-operative provinces would be targeted for the second round of seasonal anti-malarial drugs for eligible children. .
Adamawa District Malaria Control Program Program Manager Benjamin Nashon revealed at a media briefing in the province that one million children in Adamawa, who were eligible for free malaria treatment, were destined for distribution.
Homoibhi lamented that malaria continues to be a major public health burden in the country.
He lamented that while the country continued to account for 27 per cent of malaria and mortality rates, the North West and North East areas were heavily loaded with pests in the country.
However, he noted that although national representative surveys showed a drop in malaria cases from 27 percent in 2015 to 23 percent, results from the North-North and North-West were unacceptable and called for further action. what the government and its partners are doing to accelerate the eradication of malaria in the country.
The need to accelerate the eradication of malaria in Nigeria has led to an increase in interventions such as the SMC, as the number of districts using it has increased to 21 from nine.
“We are pleased to announce that this year, NMEP is not withdrawing as development programs have reached all 21 provinces have been confirmed and an estimated 27 million children are eligible for SMC by 2022 in Nigeria. This proven strategy will reduce the effects of malaria if given to these children by preventing infection, reducing the number of children developing life-threatening malaria and reducing anemia, ”added Uhomoibhi.
Nashon said about 8,000 workers have committed to overseeing SMC interventions targeted at one million children in all 21 local government areas.
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Dr Celine Laori, representing the Adamawa Regional Deputy Governor, Chief Crowther Seth, encouraged parents to give their children Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine + Amodiaquine
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