By Ali R.A., Dutse
In a bid to reduce the scourge of malaria in the state, the Jigawa State Government has flagged off a statewide distribution of 3.2 million insecticide-treated bed nets and a seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign.
Governor Mallam Umar Namadi, who launched the program, emphasized the importance of reducing malaria incidence, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the state. He noted that the program is part of the government’s commitment to providing qualitative and affordable healthcare services to the people of Jigawa State.
The governor highlighted the economic benefits of reducing malaria incidence, including reduced out-of-pocket expenses on treatment and increased economic productivity among the population. He also emphasized the importance of healthcare in achieving economic growth and development, stating that “health is wealth.”
The program, which is supported by health partners, aims to distribute 3.2 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets and make available 6.8 million doses of antimalarial medicine. The governor urged the people to take full advantage of the intervention and ensure that the bed nets are effectively used to get the necessary protection from malaria-causing mosquitoes.
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In addition to the malaria control program, the governor announced that the state government has initiated a social health insurance scheme that will enroll 143,000 vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, under-five children, and people living with HIV/AIDS. He also stated that the government is providing N70 million monthly for free maternal and neonatal healthcare services, which includes malaria treatment.
The governor emphasized the importance of human resources for health in delivering healthcare services and announced that the state government has employed over 1,000 primary healthcare workers to address the human resource challenge facing the state.
The program is part of the state government’s efforts to reverse the trend of high malaria burden in Jigawa State, which is among the states with the highest burden of malaria in Nigeria.
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) country representative Akim Kikonda, in his statement said malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria and a key cause of mortality and mobidity, especially among children and pregnant women. He stated that the Global fund to fight AIDS, Turberculosia and Malaria has constantly supported the government and people of Nigeria in the fight to reduce morbidity and mortality due to malaria in the country.
Kikonda stated that This support has contributed to reducing the prevalence of malaria in Nigeria from 42 percent in 2010 to 27 percent in 2015 and 22 percent in 2021 as reported in the National Malaria Indicator Survey of 2021. ” We must keep building on this achievement and continue working towards the elimination of malaria in Nigeria” he stated.
He then commend the efforts of governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa state for his concern to malaria elimination campaign in the state.
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