The Kwara State Government has announced plans to administer Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) drugs to 700,000 children across the state as part of ongoing efforts to prevent malaria among infants.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, made this known during the official flag-off of the 2025 SMC campaign at the Children’s Specialist Hospital, Centre Igboro, Ilorin, the state capital.
Dr El-Imam explained that the drugs would be administered to children aged three to 59 months in at least 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
She said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to eliminate malaria in Kwara State and surrounding areas.
“The state is administering these drugs in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) of the Federal Government and with support from the Global Fund.
“It may interest you to know that Kwara has fulfilled its counterpart funding obligations, just like the 20 other participating states,” she stated.
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Dr El-Imam noted that malaria remains one of Nigeria’s most serious public health challenges, especially for children under five and pregnant women, placing a significant strain on families and the healthcare system.
“Sad enough, malaria continually claims lives and hinders developmental progress. However, through joint efforts, innovation and strong partnerships, Kwara State is making significant strides in the fight against the ailment,” she said.
She described the SMC campaign as a proven, life-saving intervention aimed at protecting vulnerable children during the peak malaria transmission season.
She emphasised that preventive treatment during these critical months would significantly reduce malaria-related illnesses and deaths among children.
“Our health workers, community volunteers and stakeholders are fully prepared and committed to ensuring that every eligible child receives the correct dosage promptly and safely too.
“Please note that the success of this campaign depends greatly on community participation and support,” she added.
The Commissioner called on traditional rulers, parents and caregivers to ensure eligible children are available to receive the treatment as scheduled.
She also urged mothers and caregivers to maintain clean surroundings and adopt other preventive measures, such as the consistent use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government, Nuhu Majeed Podo, reaffirmed that the SMC is a child-focused initiative that poses no harm.
He said the drugs would be distributed through house-to-house visits, and encouraged communities to cooperate with the government.
Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, expressed appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his continued support, particularly in the health sector.
He stated that the SMC programme would run for four months, with trained personnel delivering the medication directly to households.
In her goodwill message, Mrs Eunice Akinyemi, a representative of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, praised the Kwara State Government for its commitment to public welfare, describing the administration as “people-friendly.”
She urged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics for preventive treatment, stressed the importance of mosquito net usage, and encouraged caregivers to administer the medication properly for maximum effectiveness.