Malaria: Bauchi Agency Launches 2022 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention

By Mubarak Aliyu kobi

Bauchi State Agency for the control of AIDS, Tuberculosis Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), has flagged off the 2022 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Mass Campaign across the 323 wards of the 20 LGAs in the State.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Dass Emir’s Palace, the Executive Chairman of the Agency, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam, said the Mass Drug Administration Campaign, will be done in collaboration with the Malaria Consortium, aimed at reducing the burden of Malaria in children under five years by 75%.

Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam said the exercise is most effective during the high transmission period from June to October every year, and the agency will soon commence the process of distributing about 5 million treated mosquito nets to residents to safeguard the disease in the state.

The executive chairman thanked Governor Bala for his commitment to providing effective Health Care services for the benefit of the common man and thanked the Donor partners Malaria Consortium for their support.

In his address, the state supervising commissioner of health, Alh. Ali Babayo Gamawa stated that the state government has spent billions of Naira in the healthcare sector.

He confirmed that effort are in top gear to provide additional man power to all primary and secondary healthcare institutions across the state for the betterment of the people.

In a goodwill massage, The Zonal Programme Manager, Malaria Consortium, Kabiru Mohammed Gamawa, said about 25,000 different categories of community-level personnel were recruited and trained for the purpose of drug distribution while more than 3,000 government personnel have been engaged in monitoring.

He then advised all personnel involved in the exercise to observe the laid down rules and regulations and called on parents to take advantage of the programme for the well-being of their children.

In a vote of thanks, the Emir of Dass Alh. Usman Bilyaminu Othman commended BACATMA for its effort in fighting Malaria and other diseases in state, affirming that the Emirate council will continue to support the state government for benefits of the citizens.

Albarka radio correspondent Mubarak Aliyu kobi reports that about two million eligible children of 3-59 months are expected to be reached with effective and safe malaria prevention drugs during the exercise across the state.