ASHENEWS reports that the Niger State government has treated more than two million people for malaria and distributed nearly 200,000 insecticide-treated nets to pregnant women and children under five in the past year.
Dr. Bello Tukur, the Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, announced this during a press briefing in Minna on Monday to mark the 2025 World Malaria Day.
The global theme for this year’s commemoration is “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Re-ignite,” with the slogan “Stay Committed.”
Tukur revealed that a total of 2,165,699 persons with confirmed malaria cases received free treatment using Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs). Additionally, 199,250 insecticide-treated nets were distributed to vulnerable groups across the state.
He disclosed that the state has earmarked N150 million in the 2025 budget for the purchase of malaria commodities, distribution logistics, and other interventions aimed at controlling the disease.
According to Tukur, the state also administered Suphadoxine plus Amodiaquine (SPAQ) to 1,517,684 children during last year’s peak rainy season as a preventive measure against malaria. He noted that these interventions have led to a significant reduction in malaria prevalence across Niger State.
“Our goal is to achieve a parasite prevalence of less than 10 percent and reduce mortality attributable to malaria to fewer than 50 deaths per 1,000 live births by the end of 2025,” he said.
Despite concerns over dwindling donor funding, particularly the withdrawal of support from USAID and other partners, Tukur assured that the state government is prepared to sustain the malaria fight independently.
“We are aware of the dwindling funds but we are not worried. The state is ready to step up through the malaria exit plan already being implemented,” he said. “Through a 1:1 matching arrangement, the government is investing the same amount donor partners put into malaria interventions to ensure continuity.”
He added that the government’s commitment is already yielding results, with fewer outpatient visits and hospital admissions related to malaria recorded across health facilities in the state.
