From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
The Kogi State government is set to spend over ₦4 billion on malaria prevention across its healthcare system.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo made this known at the launch of a malaria prevention campaign aimed at combating the prevalence of the disease through the distribution of free drugs and test kits across healthcare facilities in the state.
Speaking at the Government House in Lokoja on Tuesday, Governor Ododo announced that the distribution of anti-malaria drugs, rapid diagnostic test kits, and over three million insecticide-treated nets to healthcare facilities aligns with his administration’s commitment to promoting healthy living and the well-being of the people.
He emphasised that malaria affects everyone and called for collective efforts to eradicate the disease, which continues to claim thousands of lives in Nigeria.
Governor Ododo also highlighted alarming statistics from the 2024 World Malaria Report, which revealed that “Africa accounted for 94% of global malaria cases in 2023, with Nigeria contributing 30% of the 5,970 deaths recorded.”
He further noted that Kogi State’s malaria prevalence rate of 16% exceeds the national target of less than 10%, necessitating urgent intervention from all stakeholders.
The governor stressed the importance of ensuring that these supplies reach the intended communities to improve health outcomes. He warned that the items are not for sale and that anyone found guilty of diverting them will be held accountable.
According to the governor, the intervention, supported by the Islamic Development Bank, includes over 10,000 cartons of anti-malaria drugs and test kits containing more than one million doses for children and nearly two million doses for adults. He added that the supplies will be distributed to 536 government health facilities across the state, including primary healthcare centres, general hospitals, and teaching hospitals.
Governor Ododo commended healthcare workers for their efforts in improving healthcare outcomes in rural areas, describing them as soldiers battling diseases on the frontlines.
He urged traditional rulers, NGOs, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to support the government in ensuring the success of the initiative.
The governor further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the health sector as a critical pillar of the state’s development agenda.
He expressed confidence that the initiative, alongside federal government healthcare reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would significantly reduce malaria prevalence and improve the quality of life for the people of Kogi State.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazeez Adams, emphasised the importance of the malaria prevention programme, stating that its goal is to ensure that every household has access to malaria test kits, drugs, insecticide-treated nets, and other preventive measures.
He noted that the intervention is free and focuses on community engagement, describing it as a comprehensive strategy to combat malaria effectively across Kogi State.
