The Zamfara State Government has officially launched its 2025 mass distribution of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) drugs, targeting 1.2 million children across the state.
The flag-off ceremony took place on Thursday in Tsafe town, Tsafe Local Government Area.
This essential public health initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), the Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM), and partners including the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the WHO, malaria is a life-threatening disease primarily found in tropical regions. It is transmitted by certain species of mosquitoes but is both preventable and treatable. Medicines can prevent infection, and early treatment can stop mild cases from becoming severe.
The SMC campaign uses a door-to-door model to deliver malaria-preventive medicine to children aged between three months and 59 months during peak malaria season.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce malaria-related illness and death among children in Zamfara and improve child health outcomes.
Speaking during the launch, Dinola James, Regional Director of the Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement, said over 10,000 ad-hoc staff have been mobilized to carry out the distribution exercise across all 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas.
“Our goal is to ensure that every eligible child receives malaria chemoprevention treatment throughout the state,” James said.
Zamfara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Maradun, represented by the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Hussaini Anka, issued a stern warning against the diversion of the drugs for commercial purposes.
“I assure you that the government will take firm action against anyone caught diverting the chemoprevention drugs or associated materials,” he said.
National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Dr. Nnenna Ogbulafor, represented by Mohammed Mohammed, reaffirmed the federal commitment to eliminating malaria from Zamfara and the entire country.
Partners such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) also pledged their continued support in strengthening healthcare delivery and fighting malaria in the state.
The Chairman of Tsafe Local Government Council, Garba Shehu, expressed the council’s commitment to ensuring that no eligible child misses out on the treatment.
“Malaria remains one of the most pressing health challenges in our communities. We are fully committed to mobilizing every resource necessary to support its elimination,” he said.
The Emir of Tsafe, His Royal Highness Muhammad Bawa (Yandoton Tsafe), commended the government’s prioritization of health, especially child health.
He pledged the full support of the emirate council, including mobilizing traditional leaders, to ensure the successful implementation of the 2025 SMC distribution across Zamfara.
