WHO to protect two million Borno children against malaria

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with Borno State government would treat two million children against malaria in the state. The children drawn from 25 Local Councils are to be administered with malaria chemo-prevention drug.

While flagging off Seasonal Malaria Chemo-prevention (SMC) campaign, yesterday, in Maiduguri, WHO’s National Consultant on Malaria Emergencies, Dr. Iniabasi Nglass disclosed that malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Borno and across the country.

According to her, the SMC annual exercise was to protect children between three and 59 months against malaria. Speaking on the inevitable malaria campaigns, she said: “In Borno State, rainfall is seasonal. The peak of rainfall lasts for three-four months annually. Our seasonal malaria chemo-prevention, which we are flagging off is actually for the Sahel areas, comprising nine states in the North.”

She noted that during peak periods of rainfall, Borno, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina States record peak malaria incidences.

Thanking the global health agency and other partners, the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur called on parents to cooperate with health
workers in the ongoing campaign against malaria.