40,678 Kogi Children Affected By Malaria In 2024

The State Programme Manager of Malaria Consortium, Okwulu Andrew, has disclosed that no fewer than 40,678 malaria cases were recorded among children under five years in Kogi State.

Okwulu who disclosed this on Tuesday during the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, (SMC), Media parley in Lokoja, noted that out of this 40,678 cases, 683 were severe malaria cases leading to hospitalisation with twelve deaths recorded

According to him, the parley was to sensitise media practitioners on the need to carry out aggressive campaign on the activities of the Consortium which deals with children under 03-59 months.

He stressed that this category of children is most vulnerable, hence the concentration on prevention, control, and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases.

The Malaria Consortium, a leading international non-profit organisation specialising in the prevention, control, and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases, was established in 2003, and operates in Africa and Asia, working with governments and partners to strengthen health service delivery.

In his welcome address the Programme Manager, Kogi State Malaria Elimination programme, (SMEP), Pharm. Rabiu Salihu Muhammed said the event will help in influencing public perception and create awareness about key indicators of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC).

He appealed to media practitioners on synergy with the consortium to ensure that healthcare givers deliver on their duties to the best of their abilities.

Pharm. Muhammed said some of the problems often encountered in the course of the implementation of the programme include security concern and flooding making it difficult to reach affected areas, among others.

Speaking also, ACSM/SBCC Specialist, State Malaria Elimination Programme, Ministry of Health, Orimodu Matthew called on all participants to be part of finding solutions to the challenges impeding the implementation of the initiative.

He listed these challenges to include funding and resource mobilisation constraints, logistics and supply chain management implementation, human resources training and deployment of community health workers and community acceptance.

Others include adherence to implementation reminders, drug resistance control, non-integration with existing health systems, problem associated with monitoring and evaluation, geographic accessibility, political instability, drug stock-outs, training and capacity building, among others.

In order to mitigate these challenges, he advocated the need to seek funding from international organisations, governments and private donors, and as well explore public-private partnerships.

Matthew added that a robust supply chain management system and leveraging technology for tracking, monitoring and partnering with logistics experts will help to mitigate these challenges.

He noted that for effective implementation, the consortium must leverage existing healthcare infrastructure, provide incentives for healthcare workers and as well conduct community sensitisation and education campaigns.

Matthew also highlighted the need for engaging local leaders and influencers to enhance community acceptance, saying that the media has a big role to play in this regard.