The Nasarawa state Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Malaria Consortium, has launched the fifth round of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign.
The Commissioner for Health, Gwamna Gaza, stated this, Thursday, while briefing journalists in Lafia.
He said the initiative intends to protect children aged 3-59 months from malaria, which is a major public health challenge in the state.
“The campaign targets a population of 1,037,785 children under five, comprising 196,808 infants (3-11 months) and 840,977 children (12-59 months).
Gwamna said the campaign would run for five months, from June to October, with monthly drug distribution and 11,247 staff that includes community drug distributors, town announcers, supervisors, and health facility workers, have been trained to ensure smooth delivery of the exercise.
“The SMC drugs, Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Amodiaquine, will be distributed free of charge, courtesy of the state government and the Malaria Consortium,” he said.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to health and people-oriented development initiatives, highlighting the leadership’s dedication to reduce malaria burden in the state.
He also expressed government appreciation to the Malaria Consortium’s support over the past four years and looks forward to continued collaboration.
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