Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto has flagged off the 2026 seasonal malaria prevention campaign, reiterating his unwavering commitment to reducing the burden of malaria in the state.
Speaking on Wednesday in Wamakko, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto commended the State Commissioner of Health, the Sokoto State Malaria Elimination Agency, development partners, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (Abuja), and the Malaria Consortium for sustaining this life-saving initiative every year.
He said, “I also thank our traditional and religious leaders, local government chairmen, and the dedicated mass drug distributors who go from house to house to administer these drugs to targeted children.
“It is a well-known fact that malaria remains a major public health challenge, especially during the rainy season when mosquito breeding grounds proliferate, leading to a surge in cases that often claim the lives of our children.
“The Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention strategy has proven effective by administering monthly doses of anti-malarial medicine to children aged 3 to 59 months during the peak rainy season.
“We can reduce malaria cases by up to 75%, which means fewer hospital visits.”
The Governor also applauded the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reducing the burden of malaria and other diseases, as well as improving the general wellbeing of Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Faruk Wurno, said the health sector is highly prioritised under Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto’s 9-Point Smart Agenda.
According to him, the health sector is recording positive outcomes across the state, with significant improvements in health indices.
He added, “Our infrastructure is better, our health manpower is excellent, and our services are also excellent across the tertiary and secondary levels.”
Dr. Faruk Wurno assured the Governor that the Ministry of Health and its agencies remain focused and committed to implementing the best policies and approaches that will continue to deliver positive results at all levels.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Wamakko, Ahmed Barade, extolled Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto’s unwavering commitment to boosting healthcare services in the state.
Pledging sustained support for all programmes and policies of the state government, the Sultan vowed to fully mobilise citizens of the state to participate in the exercise.
