By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse
Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has flagged off the distribution of malaria vaccines and launched insecticide-treated mosquito nets at Katanga Village in Jigawa Local Government Area.
The ceremony marked the integrated seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and distribution of insecticide-treated malaria nets aimed at combating the annual burden of malaria.
Governor Namadi announced that the Jigawa state government has procured 3.2 million treated nets, targeting 1.4 million children for malaria vaccination across selected local governments.
He emphasised that distributing treated nets and vaccinating children aims to eradicate malaria from Jigawa State and enhance economic well-being.
At the event, Minister of Health Alhaji Ali Pate, represented by Mrs. Winifred Okoye Dekwo, Director of Case Management, encouraged residents of Katanga and Jigawa State to accept the nets and bring their children for vaccinations.
Samuel, Country Representative of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Nigeria, highlighted malaria’s impact on public health, particularly among children and pregnant women. He mentioned the Global Fund’s support in reducing malaria prevalence in Nigeria from 42 percent in 2010 to 22 percent in 2015, as reported in the 2021 National Malaria Indicator Survey.
He urged the public to build on these achievements and continue efforts towards malaria elimination in Nigeria. Samuel noted collaboration among NMEP, CRS, MC, Jigawa State Government, and State Ministry of Health, supported by the Global Fund, in distributing over 3.2 million treated insecticide nets.
Samuel confirmed that 6,070,688 personnel will administer SPAQ to children aged 3 to 59 months using ICT4D in the state.