By Ahmed Rufa’i
The Jigawa State government, in partnership with the Malaria Consortium, has made availabke 6.8 million doses of SPAQ, a malaria prevention treatment, to be administered to 1.5 million children under five years old in the state.
Camping Director of the Malaria Consortium, Mr Lurwanu Muhammad, made the disclosure during a keynote address at a media orientation on integrated insecticide-treated nets and the seasonal malaria chemo prevention campaign in Jigawa State.
Muhammad stated that the campaign targets 1.5 million children aged from three to 59 months for malaria vaccination across the state from August 9th to 13th.
He further disclosed that during the period, approximately 3.2 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets will be distributed to the most vulnerable populations.
“Jigawa State government and malaria partners will distribute about 3.2 million free insecticide-treated nets to households across 26 LGAs, 288 wards, and 11,090 communities from August 9th to 13th, 2024.”
Mr Muhammad explained that the state government and malaria partners intend to conduct a massive public enlightenment campaign aimed at ensuring the proper distribution of the commodities to the targeted population.
He noted that the current insecticide-treated net mass campaign focuses on distributing free insecticide-treated nets to households, mostly in rural areas where people are at higher risk of malaria and more likely to suffer fatal consequences from the disease.
According to him, the state government and partners have consistently provided all necessary insecticide-treated nets across the state.
However, based on available malaria data indicating low ITN coverage and existing resources, the available ITNs will not reach all households during this mass campaign.
He further stated, “Free malaria preventive medicines will be administered to children aged 3 to 59 months from July to October 2024 in all 27 LGAs, wards, communities, and households.”
The campaign director emphasised that during the exercise, personnel wearing uniforms with the malaria logo will visit households from July 24th to 28th, 2024, to administer malaria preventive medicines to all eligible children.
“They will issue free net cards only to households in wards targeted to receive ITNs during the mass campaign. Pregnant women will receive free insecticide-treated nets during their first antenatal care visit, and fully immunised children can also receive free insecticide-treated nets at the nearest government health facility.”
Muhammad added that to prevent the spread of malaria, it is essential to dispose of unused tyres, close all open water containers and water collection areas around the house, and maintain a clean environment.