The World Health Organization’s (WHO) National Consultant Malaria
Emergencies in Nigeria, Dr. Iniabasi Nglass; has said that 2.1 million
children are targeted in the seasonal malaria chemo-prevention (SMC)
campaigns.
The campaigns and SMC administer to children, are to protect them from
being infected of malaria.
According to her; the targeted children; who are between age of three
and 59 months; are drawn from 25 Local Government Areas of Borno
state.
While flagging off second phase of malaria prevention campaign
Wednesday at El-Miskin Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp,
Maiduguri, she disclosed that; “When we went out last July, we’re able
to reach 2.1 million children.
“The campaign exercise against malaria; is recommended to hold at
least three to four times during peak of rainy season each year,”
adding that the administered drug has effect on the child’s system for
35 days for protection against malaria.
She noted that malaria is a problem of everybody in the state, as
children are at high risk of being infected.
While speaking on parents’ feedback, she said that 100 per cent
acceptance was recorded in last July’s SMC campaign exercise in 25
councils.
She noted that the feedback from fields were very good with community
ownership, including district heads and community leaders.
“The stakeholders ensure that parents avail their children for the SMC
campaign exercise to protect their children,” she said.
She said in overcoming challenges of insecurity during campaigns, WHO
and the State Government work in partnership with security operatives
and in accordance with security guidelines.
The State Coordinator for Malaria Elimination programme, Mala Waziri,
noted that in 2017, only 12 Local Government Areas were covered during
the malaria campaign exercise.
He said this year, all the 27 councils, are being covered, with the
exception of Marte and Abadam council areas.
“For security reason, we could not access the two councils administer
the SMC to children,” he said, noting that after the intervention that
begun last July, will be concluded in October with four cycles of SMC.
According to him, the complete administer of SMC during rainy season
reduces infection of malaria among children.
He warned that as most of the children live in IDP camps, they are
prone to mosquito bites.
