By Lizzy Carr
Bauchi state has flag off the 2022 seasonal malaria chemo prevention (SMC) in all the 20 local government areas for children age 3-59 months old. The exercise took place weekend at the palace of the Emir of Dass.
Executive chairman Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) Dr. Sani Mohammed said seasonal malaria chemo prevention is delivered door to door by volunteer community distributors who administer one dose of SP and the first dose of AQ to eligible children.
“During the administration the team ensure that the child takes the first dose in their presence before they leave the house, this is to ensure it is use properly”.
Mohammed stated that local governments in Bauchi south are to conduct 5 circles, while those in the North will have 4 circles.
This according to him is based if the malaria pattern that differs from both zones.
The State which started implementation in 2020 in only 10 local government areas has scale up to all 20 local government areas based on successes recorded.
“I can tell you that the incidence of malaria has reduced with the introduction of seasonal malaria chemoprevention, we have less hospital attendance as a result of the disease”.
“Nigeria as you know is the global headquarters of malaria ,but currently the narrative has changed with SMC”, said Dr. Mohammed
The chairman added that SMC is given during the months of July to October as it is the period with high rate of reported cases.
He noted that Bauchi has many interventions in the fight against malaria that include the distribution of intermittent preventive therapy IPT for pregnant women and Long lasting insecticidal nets.
Zonal project manager Malaria Consortium Kabiru Mohammed said Nigeria started an early pilot implementation in 2013 following a recommendation from the World Health Organisation.
“Statistics from the NDHS 2018 shows significant reduction in malaria burden in the Country, that’s means SMC is effective in our zeal to eradicate malaria”, said Mohammed.
Permanent secretary Bauchi state ministry of health Ali Babayo said government is committed to the provision of quality health care to its citizens as can be seen in the priority it places in the health sector.
“Though we are challenged by inadequate human resources for health to sustained gains in the sector, government has continued to engage health workers at different levels”, said Babayo.
On his part, the Emir of Dass Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman called on households to open their doors to teams that will visit to administer the SMC.