KNSG TARGETS OVER 3 MILLION CHILDREN FOR THE 2024 SEASONAL MALARIA CAMPAIGN 19-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu The kano state government has targeted 3,490,355 three to fifty-nine months children for the 2024 malaria campaign.
The state commissioner for health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf announced the launch of the 2024 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign.
According to him, the world health organization WHO has recommended the use of SMC as a proven intervention and reliable for malaria prevention, especially in regions with highly seasonal malaria transmission.
He said the 2024 SMC campaign will run from July 19th to October 2024, aimed at reducing malaria among the targeted group.
Dr. Abubakar maintained that the intervention will involve free house-to-house mass drug administration of free drugs conducted in four cycles. “with each cycle lasting 4 days per month during the rainy season”
The commissioner highlighted that malaria accounts for 60% of hospital outpatient visits and consultations and 30% of hospital admissions in Kano State.
He pointed out that, in the first quarter of 2023, 413,827 individuals were diagnosed and treated for uncomplicated malaria, and 63 under-five malaria-related deaths were recorded.
“The state government has invested billions of naira in providing insecticidal-treated nets to the public”
Dr. Abubakar hinted that as part of efforts to improve the health sector KNSG earmarked 10% of the Kano Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) for the fight against malaria and reducing the burden associated with the disease, as well as other interventions.
Others are re-capturing, rehabilitation, re-equipping Hasiya Bayero Paediatrics Hospital, accident and emergency unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital, recruitment of 36 house officers and 70 medical officers to serve at both primary and secondary health facilities in the state.
“Distribution of Free Maternal and Child Health Commodities worth N63 million to both primary and secondary health facilities in the state and Unveiling the Kano State Health Trust Funds (KHETFUND) Beneficiary”
The commissioner commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, federal Ministry of health, WHO,BMGF/BF, Malaria consortium, UNICEF, GHSC-PSM, SOLINA, LAFIYA, sight savers e-health and other partners for their support in ensuring quality healthcare delivery.