The Kogi State Government has announced a ₦4 billion initiative to combat malaria, aiming to reduce the disease’s prevalence across the state’s healthcare system.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo unveiled the programme at the launch of a malaria prevention campaign, which includes the distribution of free drugs and test kits across healthcare facilities.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, the governor said the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to improving public health.
The government will distribute over 3 million insecticide-treated nets, rapid diagnostic test kits, and anti-malaria drugs to healthcare centres across the state.
The intervention, supported by the Islamic Development Bank, includes over 10,000 cartons of anti-malaria drugs and test kits.
The supplies, which contain more than 1 million doses for children and nearly 2 million doses for adults, will be delivered to 536 government health facilities, including primary healthcare centres, general hospitals, and teaching hospitals.
Governor Ododo emphasised the need for a united effort in tackling malaria, citing statistics from the 2024 World Malaria Report.
According to the report, Africa accounted for 94% of global malaria cases in 2023, with Nigeria contributing 30% of the 5,970 recorded deaths.
He also noted that Kogi State’s malaria prevalence of 16% exceeds the national target of less than 10%, underscoring the urgency of the intervention.
“These supplies must reach the communities and people they are intended for,” he said, warning that anyone found guilty of diverting the materials would be held accountable.
The governor commended healthcare workers for their dedication, describing them as “soldiers battling diseases on the frontlines.”
He also urged traditional rulers, NGOs, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to support the initiative to ensure its success.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the health sector, highlighting its role as a key pillar in Kogi State’s development agenda.
He expressed confidence that the initiative, alongside federal government healthcare reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would significantly reduce malaria prevalence and improve the quality of life for residents.
Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazeez Adams, stressed the importance of ensuring that every household has access to malaria test kits, drugs, insecticide-treated nets, and other preventive measures.
He described the initiative as a comprehensive strategy that prioritises community engagement, ensuring that malaria prevention efforts are accessible and effective across the state.