18th June, 2023
By Ibukun Emiola
The Oyo State Government, in partnership with the Malaria Consortium, has begun the second phase of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Campaign (SMC).
The campaign’s goal is to attain zero malaria prevalence among children under the age of five in the state.
This is stated in a statement signed and made accessible to journalists by the Coordinating Director, Gideon Alade, in Ibadan on Saturday.
According to him, the campaign was launched in the state’s Saki West Local Government Area to prevent malaria in children aged three to 59 months during the peak of the malaria season.
Dr. Olusoji Adeyanju, Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Ministry of Health, underlined Gov. Seyi Makinde’s administration’s resolve to dramatically reduce malaria cases among children under the age of five and pregnant women.
Adeyanju stated that it was critical for parents and guardians to present their children to health workers for drug administration.
He stated that the children in the age range were scheduled to take chemoprevention medications weekly for five months.
According to him, the state government would continue to strengthen routine healthcare services to improve the health of women and children through various healthcare initiatives.
“This initiative is consistent with the global malaria strategy, which aims to reduce global malaria incidence and mortality rates by 90% by 2030.”
“The second round of seasonal malaria chemoprevention distribution began on June 16, 2023, and will continue through Monday, June 19, 2023.”
Distribution will take place on four days each month. From June through October 2023, the medications will be administered every 28 days.
“The current SPAQ drugs that will be distributed are free, and they do not cure malaria, but they do prevent malaria.” It does not function on its own; we must also ensure that our children sleep inside the net. “Our environment should be free of mosquito breeding grounds.”
Adeyanju thanked the health care providers who were involved in the process, as well as the Malaria Consortium Team, for their assistance.
Previously, he stated that the Malaria Consortium, which implemented SMC, had provided major assistance to the state administration.
He stated that the widespread distribution of malaria preventative medications in the state had reduced malaria cases in children aged three to 59 months in Oyo State to 52% from 72%.
“The drugs were provided in collaboration with our implementation partners, Malaria Consultum.” Currently, they are also assisting flag-off in the other five LGAs.
“Last year, the implementation began with an overall coverage of 102 percent, reaching approximately 290,000 children.”
However, he solicited the participation of stakeholders in the affected communities to ensure the implementation’s success.
Earlier, Mrs. Funmi Akinola, the wife of Saki West Local Government chairman, expressed the government’s willingness to continue to provide all essential support to the initiative.
Seasonal malaria chemoprevention will be provided in six local governments, including Irepo, Olorunsogo, and Ogbomoso North.
Other local government areas in Oyo State include Saki East, Saki West, and Surulere.
NAN
