Kebbi State government said it is targeting to immunise 1.4 million children between three to 59 months old against malaria disease across the state in 2023.
The state deputy governor, Umar Abubakar Tafidan Kabi stated this at the flagging- off of the 2023 Sessional Malaria Campaign (SMC) held in Argungu town, under Argungu local government area of the state.
Kabi who described malaria as a major public health problem which can be life-threatening also said it has been devastating to people especially among the children of 3 to 59 months who are the focus of the campaign.
According to him, in the 2021 report, there were 247 million cases of malaria with 619,000 global deaths.
He said the present administration of Governor Nasir Idris is collaborating with the international agencies to support the need for a strong health system to address the gaps in accessing healthcare services particularly in communities.
The deputy governor also said the government is delighted that Kebbi State and indeed Nigeria are making efforts to be a global example in implementing the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC).
In his remarks, the permanent secretary Ministry of Health, Dr Shehu Nuhu Koko represented by the executive secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, explained that over 1.3 million under-five children were reached in 2022 with a target of 1.4 million children planned to be reached in 2023 SMC round. This intervention has shown a significant contribution to reduction in under-five mortality rates.
The permanent secretary who commended the traditional and religious leaders for their support to health issues, also called on them to sensitise the general public on the campaign which he said is free.
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