The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, has hailed the success of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme, describing it as a turning point in the fight against malaria across the state.
Dr Baamlong, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Jos on Wednesday, said malaria prevalence, which stood at 21 percent a few years ago, has now dropped to 18 percent, with recent yet-to-be-published data indicating a further reduction to 15 percent.
“This programme has shown clear results. In just a few years, we have seen a gradual but steady decline in malaria cases, especially among children aged three months to 59 months. If we sustain this momentum, Plateau State could soon record less than 10 percent malaria cases per year,” the commissioner stated.
The session, organised by the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) in collaboration with the Malaria Consortium, highlighted the progress of the SMC project, which is about to commence its fourth phase.
SMEP Programme Manager, NDAK Kizito, revealed that in the last three implementation cycles, more than 1,012,160 children under five years received Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine with Amodiaquine (SPAQ), achieving 106 percent coverage.
“The intervention is working. The numbers speak for themselves — malaria cases are dropping significantly across Plateau State,” Kizito said, expressing optimism that with the upcoming fourth and fifth cycles, a malaria-free Plateau is within reach.
On behalf of the Malaria Consortium, Dr Mbwas Mashor, State Project Manager, said the session aimed to sensitise the public and share progress made with journalists and stakeholders.
He added that the engagement would also brief media professionals on details of the fourth SMC cycle, scheduled to commence across Plateau State from September 4.
The Director of Public Health, Dr Mafwalal Bunah Masok, commended the Malaria Consortium for supporting the state in protecting under-five children — the most vulnerable group to severe malaria and malaria-related deaths.
Other stakeholders present, including Pharm Lohdip Dojul, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter; Agwo Martin Dagen, Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria; and Dr Nakah Joseph Nababa, representing the Nigerian Medical Association, Plateau State Chapter, congratulated SMEP and the consortium for the recorded successes. They stressed the importance of media involvement in raising awareness and sustaining public participation in the anti-malaria campaign.
