Yola, July 18, 2025 (NAN) The Adamawa Deputy Governor, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, has unveiled the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign, targeting over 1.2 million children across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Farauta, represented by Dr Amos Edgar Chief of Staff to Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, said this at the campaign inauguration on Friday, in Yola.
She described malaria as a persistent public health threat, especially for children under the age of five.
She said the campaign was more than a medical exercise, but a bold expression of the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and future of children and communities across the state.
Farauta noted that the SMC initiative involved administering safe and effective antimalarial drugs to children aged 3 to 59 months.
“The SMC campaign is a proven strategy for reducing the burden of malaria during the rainy season, when the risk of transmission is highest.
“It involves the administration of safe and effective antimalarial drugs to children aged 3 to 59 months, every month during the malaria transmission season.
“This year’s campaign is aimed at drastically reducing the number of malaria-related illnesses and deaths, minimising hospital admissions, improving school attendance and overall child well-being.
“We believe that a healthy population is the bedrock of a prosperous society,” Farauta added.
According to her, the state government prioritised healthcare in its development agenda by increasing budgetary allocation to the health sector, expanding primary healthcare infrastructure, and strengthening healthcare workers.
She commended development partners including Malaria Consortium, WHO, UNICEF, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and other donor agencies for their sustained support in the fight against malaria.
The Deputy Gov. also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community influencers to mobilise caregivers and ensure children receive all four doses of the SMC medication.
In his remarks, Mr Felix Tangwami, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, said Nigeria accounts for about 27 per cent of global malaria deaths, with Adamawa being particularly vulnerable due to its ecological and seasonal patterns.
Tangwami explained that the SMC campaign, involving the monthly administration of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine plus Amodiaquine (SPAQ), would be carried out over four cycles during the transmission season.
“Evidence shows that when correctly implemented, SMC can reduce malaria cases by up to 75 per cent.
“It is safe, cost-effective, and has significantly lowered hospitalizations and deaths among children,” he said.
He revealed that commodities worth over N4.8 billion have been procured for the 2025 campaign, with over 6,000 trained community drug distributors and health workers deployed for door-to-door delivery.
“We have established strong pharmacovigilance systems, real-time data reporting, and supervisory mechanisms to ensure safety, effectiveness, and full coverage,” he added.
Tangwami highlighted the state’s achievements in malaria control, including the distribution of over three million Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs).
“Establishment of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) centers at PHCs, provision of free Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), and inter-sectoral efforts to tackle mosquito breeding,” he said.
Also speaking, Ms Chidimka Okolo, of Catholic Relief Services said the fight against malaria requires collective effort, urging all stakeholders to play their part.
Prof. Mahmud Kumo, the Programme Manager, Society for Family Health (SFH), commended the Adamawa government for emerging as a leading state in malaria control nationwide.(NAN)
