By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Wednesday in Wamakko local government area, flagged off the 2026 seasonal malaria prevention campaign with a commitment to ensuring a healthy environment for growth.
Governor Ahmed who insisted that his administration remain committed to
reducing the burden of malaria, added that malaria remain a major health challenge that must be addressed.
The governor while commending the State Commissioner of Health, the State Malaria Elimination Agency, partners, the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Abuja and Malaria Consortium for sustaining the life-saving prevention yearly, said, malaria cases increases majorly during the rainy seasons.
"I also thank the traditional and religious leaders, local government chairmen, and our dedicated mass drug distributors who go from house to house to administer these drugs to the targeted children.
"It is a well-known fact that malaria continues to be a major public health challenge, especially during the rainy season when mosquitoes breeding grounds become rampant, as a result of which cases of malaria become common and oftentimes claims the lives of our children.
"The seasonal malaria chemo prevention strategy has proven to work by giving monthly doses of anti-malaria vaccines to children aged 3 to 59 months during the peak rainy season. "We can reduce malaria cases by up to 75% and that means fewer hospital visits."
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's effort towards reducing the burden of malaria and other diseases, governor Ahmed emphatically said the president is committed to the general wellbeing Nigerians.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Faruk Wurno, said the health sector is one of those given prioritity in the 9-Point Smart Agenda of governor Ahmed Aliyu.
According to Faruk, the tremendous positive indices recorded in the state health sector lately are direct outcome of the commitment given to that sector by the governor.
"Our infrastructure are better, our health manpower are excellent and also our services are also excellent across the tertiary and secondary."
On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto amd President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar 111 represented by the District Head of Wamakko, Alhaji Ahmed Barade, thanked gov.ernor Ahmed Aliyu for his dedication to improved healthcare services in the state. NNL.
