Kogi Govt To Spend Over N4 Bn To Tackle Malaria Prevention
The Kogi State Government is to spend over ₦4 billion on malaria prevention across the healthcare system in the state.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who announced this at the launch of a malaria prevention campaign to combat the prevalence of the disease with the distribution of free drugs and test-kits across healthcare facilities in the state, noted that malaria affects everyone.
He therefore called for collective efforts towards eradicating the disease, which he stressed has continued to claim the lives of thousands of people in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Government House in Lokoja on Tuesday, Ododo said that the distribution of anti-malaria drugs, rapid diagnostic test kits, and over 3 million insecticide-treated nets to healthcare facilities was in line with the commitment of his administration to promote healthy living and the wellbeing of the people of the state.
The Governor also highlighted the alarming statistics from the 2024 World Malaria Report, which revealed that “Africa accounted for 94% of global malaria cases in 2023, with Nigeria contributing 30% of the 5,970 deaths recorded.
Ododo also noted Kogi State’s malaria prevalence of 16% exceeds the national target of less than 10%, thereby necessitating urgent intervention by all stakeholders.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that the supplies get to communities and people for which they are meant to improve health outcomes.
The Governor warned that the items are not for sale, stressing that anyone found guilty of diverting them will be held accountable.
The Governor said; “The intervention supported by the Islamic Development Bank, includes over 10,000 cartons of anti-malaria drugs and test kits containing more than one million doses for children and nearly two million doses for adults.
“The supplies will be distributed to 536 government health facilities across the state, including primary healthcare centers, general hospitals, and teaching hospitals,” he said.
Governor Ododo commended healthcare workers in the state for their efforts in improving healthcare outcomes in rural areas, describing them as soldiers battling diseases on the frontlines.
A statement by Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Kogi State, stated that Ododo urged traditional rulers, NGOs, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to join hands with the government in ensuring the success of the initiative and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the health sector as a critical pillar of the development agenda of the Kogi state government under his leadership.
He expressed confidence that the initiative, alongside federal government healthcare reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would significantly reduce malaria prevalence and improve the quality of lives of the people of Kogi State.
Earlier, the commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams emphasized the importance of the malaria prevention programme which he said is to ensure that every household has access to malaria test kits, drugs, insecticide-treated nets, and other preventive measures.
Adams said the intervention is free and focuses on community engagement, describing it as a comprehensive strategy to combat malaria effectively across Kogi State.
