The Yobe Government, in collaboration with malaria partners, has launched an integrated campaign combining Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) distribution to curb malaria transmission across the state.
Mr. Lawan Mustapha, the Damaturu Local Government Health Promotion Officer, told reporters on Sunday in Damaturu that the initiative aims to reduce malaria cases among children under five years and pregnant women.
He said integrating SMC and ITN distribution would save costs and ensure wider coverage by using shared logistics and mobilization structures.
“The 2025 integrated SMC and ITN campaign aims to protect every household and child against malaria during the peak transmission season,” Mustapha said.
He explained that the initiative is being implemented by the Yobe Government in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services, and Malaria Consortium, with funding support from the Global Fund.
According to him, household registration and the administration of Cycle 4 of SPAQ will run from October 18 to 21, while ITN distribution will take place from November 7 to 10 at designated collection points.
He urged caregivers to ensure their children complete the three-day malaria prevention drug dosage after taking the first dose under Directly Observed Therapy.
Mustapha emphasized that the success of the campaign depends on household participation and adherence to preventive measures such as proper use and maintenance of treated mosquito nets.
It was also reported that implementing partners encouraged residents to bring their old or damaged nets to collection points for proper disposal, warning that improper disposal could harm the environment.
They further reminded residents that the token slip issued during household registration is the only valid document for redeeming a new net, stressing, “No token, no net.”
At Unguwan Hassan Yusuf in the Gonge area of Damaturu, one of the distributors, Malam Hafsat Abubakar, said the exercise began at 7:30 a.m., and her team had visited more than 15 households without any challenge.
“We are targeting as many households as possible before the end of the day,” she said.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Kaltum Modu, expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing it as timely.
“This programme came at the right time when mosquitoes are everywhere. I thank the Yobe Government and partners for this effort and urge other households to cooperate with the teams for everyone’s benefit,” she said.
