The Plateau State Malaria Elimination Program Team has reaffirmed its dedication to preventing malaria among children aged 3 to 59 months. In a press conference held in Jos on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the team detailed their strategies and measures aimed at eradicating malaria in the state.
Nurse Kizito Ndak, the Team Lead, alongside the Programme Manager of the Malaria Consortium and other team members, highlighted the program’s readiness and recent achievements. “We have mobilized over 12,000 individuals across the 17 local government areas to implement this malaria prevention initiative. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has supported this effort with the necessary funding, and we’ve involved stakeholders from various sectors to underscore the program’s significance,” said Nurse Ndak.
The second cycle of the program, beginning on July 25, will focus on distributing preventive malaria medication to children within the target age group. All necessary medications have been delivered to local governments, with distribution already underway.
“In the first cycle, we reached 950,000 children. Our goal is to ensure that all children under five receive this preventive medication. We are continuously working to raise awareness and prevent malaria and mortality in children under five,” Nurse Ndak added.
The Malaria Consortium has introduced digital monitoring tools to oversee the distribution process and address challenges in real-time. This technology allows the team to track the activities of community drug distributors and supervisors, ensuring efficient and accurate delivery of medications.
Despite challenges such as difficult terrain and security risks, the program has operated without incidents. The stipends for community drug distributors have been increased to encourage their dedication and hard work.
“We understand the sacrifices made by our team members. While we have increased their stipends, we also emphasize that their work is invaluable and critical to humanity. We appreciate their dedication and hard work,” Nurse Ndak concluded.
The Plateau State Malaria Elimination Program remains committed to eradicating malaria and ensuring the health and well-being of children in the state. The team plans to continue their efforts until the end of October, aiming to reach even more children and prevent the spread of malaria.
