The Plateau State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Malaria Consortium, has engaged media practitioners and key stakeholders ahead of the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign as part of efforts to strengthen public awareness and encourage community participation in the fight against malaria.
The media parley, held at the Crispan Event Centre in Jos, brought together health professionals, development partners, journalists and other stakeholders to strategise on the successful implementation of the campaign, which is designed to protect children under the age of five from malaria during the peak transmission season.
Addressing participants, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, described the media as a vital partner in the state’s malaria elimination efforts, noting that sustained public enlightenment is essential to the success of the intervention.
He highlighted Plateau State’s remarkable progress in malaria control, revealing that malaria prevalence had declined from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 2.8 per cent in 2025, representing an 87 per cent reduction. According to him, the achievement is the result of increased government commitment, effective implementation of the SMC programme and the continued support of development partners.
“The prevalence rate has dropped from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 2.8 per cent in 2025, representing about an 87 per cent reduction. It shows that malaria elimination is possible, and with sustained support for the SMC programme, we can achieve zero malaria,” Ba’amlong said.
In his presentation, the Project Manager of the IMPACT Project, Nrs. Ndak Andarawus, disclosed that the 2026 SMC campaign will target 1,007,652 eligible children across Plateau State.
He explained that more than 11,500 health workers, supervisors, volunteer drug distributors and community leaders have been mobilised for the exercise. Trained volunteers will administer preventive malaria medicines through house-to-house visits, while digital monitoring systems will be used to track coverage and ensure every eligible child is reached.
Andarawus attributed the programme’s success to strong government support, effective partnerships and active community participation, which have significantly contributed to the steady decline in malaria cases across the state.
Also speaking, the Project Manager of Malaria Consortium, Dr. Mbwas Mashor, said the media engagement was organised to deepen collaboration with journalists and other stakeholders in promoting public awareness and acceptance of the campaign.
He explained that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention is a World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended intervention that provides safe and effective preventive malaria medicines for children aged three to 59 months during periods of high malaria transmission.
“We want the media to strengthen public awareness, promote accurate information and support community acceptance of the SMC campaign so that every eligible child is protected,” Mashor said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health described the engagement as timely and urged journalists to sustain accurate and balanced reporting on malaria prevention to improve public participation and the overall success of the campaign.
SBCC Consultant, Mr. Kaskida Yilyok, emphasised that the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception, countering misinformation and encouraging caregivers to ensure their eligible children receive the preventive medicines.
Programme Officer, Miss Kachollom Gyang, reaffirmed that safeguarding remains a key priority of the SMC programme. She noted that staff, partners and volunteers receive regular training on protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
She added that the programme operates a zero-tolerance policy on abuse and encouraged members of the public to report any safeguarding concerns for prompt investigation and appropriate action.
Representatives of professional health bodies also pledged their continued support for the programme.
The Plateau State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Yilji Kumtap, commended the Ministry of Health and the State Malaria Elimination Programme for the significant gains recorded in malaria control and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the campaign.
Similarly, Pharm. Godwin Nimyel, representing the Plateau State Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), stressed the importance of quality-assured medicines and stronger regulation to eliminate substandard drugs.
Representing the Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Molsat Emmanuel Sydney praised the Ministry of Health, the State Malaria Elimination Programme and Malaria Consortium for their efforts in reducing malaria prevalence and assured the board’s continued support in driving the 2026 SMC campaign to communities across the state.