Jos, Plateau State – The Plateau State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) has announced a remarkable decline in malaria prevalence following the successful implementation of its Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) project across all 17 local government areas.
SMEP Programme Manager, NDAK Kizito, revealed during an interactive session with journalists in Jos on Wednesday that over 1,012,160 children under five have so far received Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine with Amodiaquine (SPAQ) medication in three completed cycles, achieving 106 percent coverage.
“The SMC intervention is significantly reducing malaria cases in Plateau,” Kizito said, noting that malaria prevalence has fallen to 18.8 percent, with an unpublished Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) suggesting a further drop to 15 percent.
He added that with the upcoming fourth and fifth rounds of SPAQ distribution, Plateau State could be on course to becoming malaria-free.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, described the milestone as a breakthrough in the state’s fight against malaria.
“Some years back, malaria prevalence in Plateau was around 21 percent. That figure has now dropped to 18 percent, and early reviews suggest a further reduction to 15 percent,” Baamlong explained.
“If we sustain this progress, malaria cases could soon drop below 10 percent annually. This is significant, especially for children between three months and 59 months who are the most vulnerable.”
Also speaking, Dr Mbwas Mashor, Plateau State Project Manager of the Malaria Consortium, representing Dr Maxwell Kolawole, West and Central African Programme Director, said the engagement aimed to brief journalists and stakeholders ahead of the fourth SMC cycle, scheduled to commence on September 4 across the state.
Director of Public Health, Dr Mafwalal Bunah Masok, praised the Malaria Consortium for its unwavering support.
“Their backing has been critical in reducing malaria burden among under-five children, who are most at risk of severe malaria and death. This intervention has drastically cut down the burden in this high-risk group,” he said.
Other stakeholders present—including Pharm Lohdip Dojul, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Plateau State Chapter); Agwo Martin Dagen, Chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (Plateau State); and Dr Nakah Joseph Nababa, representing the Nigerian Medical Association (Plateau State Chapter)—commended the initiative. They also urged the media to continue raising awareness and encouraging public participation in the fight against malaria.