Benue Steps Up Malaria Fight With N294.53m SMC Funding

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government, through the Ministry of Health and Human Services, has approved N294.53 million as counterpart funding for the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Campaign across the state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this in a statement, saying the approval was part of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commitment to strengthening malaria prevention and control interventions, particularly for children who remain highly vulnerable to malaria-related complications.
Ogwuche explained that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention is a proven public health intervention designed to prevent malaria among children in areas where transmission is seasonal and intense. He said the programme involves administering recommended antimalarial medicines to eligible children during the peak transmission period, regardless of whether they show symptoms of malaria at the time.
According to the Commissioner, the approved counterpart funding will complement support from development partners and other stakeholders involved in the 2026 SMC Campaign, while enhancing the state’s capacity to coordinate and implement the intervention effectively across communities.
He said successful implementation would require close collaboration among the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, Local Government Health Authorities, development partners, health workers, community leaders, volunteers and other relevant stakeholders.
The funding will also support key campaign activities, including mobilisation, training, logistics, drug distribution, community engagement, monitoring and supervision, as well as data collection and reporting.
Ogwuche reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to protecting children and reducing the burden of malaria across Benue State, stressing the importance of sustained government investment and strategic partnerships in improving health outcomes.
He called on parents, caregivers, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the campaign by ensuring that eligible children receive the SMC medicines as recommended by trained health personnel.
The Commissioner noted that the 2026 SMC Campaign would complement other malaria control measures, including the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, environmental sanitation and community-based health education.
He described the N294.53 million counterpart funding as another significant step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and reducing childhood morbidity and mortality associated with malaria.
The Ministry, he added, remains committed to working with partners and communities to ensure the successful implementation of the 2026 SMC Campaign and build a healthier and more resilient Benue State.