IBADAN/Nigeria: The Oyo State Government, in collaboration with a Malaria Consortium, has launched the second phase of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Campaign (SMC) as part of its ongoing efforts to combat malaria. The primary objective of this campaign is to eliminate malaria among children under the age of five in the state.
The official launch of the program took place in Saki West Local Government Area, focusing on preventing malaria in children aged 3 to 59 months during the peak malaria season. Dr. Olusoji Adeyanju, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasized Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to significantly reduce malaria cases among young children and pregnant women.
Dr. Adeyanju stressed the importance of parental cooperation and urged parents and guardians to bring their children to healthcare workers for the administration of preventive drugs. Children within the specified age group are required to take these drugs on a monthly basis for a period of five months.
He further announced that the State Government would continue to improve routine healthcare services and implement various healthcare initiatives to enhance the overall health of women and children. This initiative aligns with the global Malaria strategy, which aims to reduce worldwide malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030, demonstrating the state’s dedication to combating malaria.
The second round of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention distribution is scheduled to begin on Friday, June 16th, 2023, and will continue until Monday, June 19th, 2023. The distribution will occur monthly for four days each month, with the drugs being repeated every 28 days from June to October 2023.
The distributed drugs, known as SPAQ, are provided free of charge and serve as preventive measures rather than a cure for malaria. Dr. Adeyanju emphasized the importance of combining drug administration with other preventive measures such as sleeping under mosquito nets and maintaining clean environments to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
He expressed gratitude to the healthcare providers and the Malaria Consortium team for their invaluable support in implementing the campaign. Dr. Adeyanju also highlighted the significant assistance received from the Malaria Consortium in the state’s malaria control efforts. The mass distribution of malaria preventive drugs has already led to a noticeable reduction in malaria cases among children aged 3 to 59 months in Oyo State, decreasing from 72% to 52%.
In the previous year, the campaign achieved an overall coverage rate of 102%, reaching approximately 290,000 children. This data indicates a substantial decline in malaria incidence among children in the specified age group.
Dr. Adeyanju called for the support of stakeholders in the affected communities to ensure the successful implementation of the program. Mrs. Funmi Akinola, the wife of the Chairman of Saki West local government, expressed the local government’s unwavering commitment to providing necessary support for the project.
The Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention will be administered in six local government areas with the highest malaria burden, namely Irepo, Olorunsogo, Ogbomoso North, Saki East, Saki West, and Surulere. Through the combined efforts of the government, healthcare workers, and communities, the state aims to create a malaria-free environment for its youngest residents.
