Health
Malaria: Benue plans 2026 SMC Campaign, pledges protection vulnerable groups, under five Children
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Benue State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating malaria through strengthened collaboration with development partners and sustained investment in proven preventive interventions.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr.
Ogwuche described malaria as one of the most prevalent and persistent infectious diseases in the state, noting that it continues to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under the age of five.
He emphasized that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention remains a scientifically proven and highly effective strategy for reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality among children, stressing that the intervention must not only be sustained but continuously strengthened for greater impact.
The Commissioner commended the implementing partner, PATH, for its steadfast support and substantial investment in improving health outcomes in Benue State, describing the partnership as both impactful and invaluable to the state’s malaria control efforts.
The e also assured stakeholders that the Benue State Government will fully support the 2026 SMC campaign through the provision of counterpart funding, as well as by ensuring an enabling environment for smooth and effective implementation.
He charged the Director of Public Health to maintain close and strategic collaboration with partners, particularly PATH, and to provide regular updates to his office to strengthen coordination, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability throughout the planning and implementation phases.
He appreciated the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for his continued prioritization of the health sector and his unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people of the state and urged to engage in the planning process, contribute valuable insights, and work collaboratively towards developing a robust, result-driven implementation strategy for the 2026 SMC campaign.
The Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention campaign, which specifically targets children under five years of age, remains a critical public health intervention aimed at significantly reducing the burden of malaria in high-risk communities across the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner said government and partners plan to curb malaria among adults include conducting mass Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) distribution next year. He said they also intend to conduct community health dialogues where communities are engaged and sensitized to promote the need for use of ITN, which he described as a cheap and reliable way of preventing malaria among all age groups.
Ogwuche said because of Government’s commitment in the fight against malaria in the state especially amongst the most vulnerable groups, Children under 5 and pregnant women, the prevalence rate of malaria has dropped from 17.6 percent in 2021 to 11.0 percent in 2025.
The above is achieved because of concerted efforts of government through several strategies/interventions including ITN mass replacement campaigns, SMC campaigns, Intermittent preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp).
He also noted that the state in collaboration with partners is providing free testing and treatment of malaria in 434 health facilities across the 23 LGAs covering all the 276 wards.