Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano
The Kano State Government today joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 World Malaria Day at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano. The event was attended by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who highlighted the State’s significant strides toward malaria elimination and renewed the call for collective action under this year’s theme: “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.”
In his remarks, Dr. Yusuf noted that global efforts between 2000 and 2023 averted 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths, although Africa continues to bear the highest burden. He emphasized that malaria remains a major public health concern in Kano State, accounting for 60% of outpatient consultations in 2024 alone. Over 4.1 million hospital visits were linked to malaria, with 99.5% of cases successfully treated using Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs).
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Under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the State Government has intensified its malaria control strategies through several key interventions, including:
– Procurement and Distribution: Continuous supply of anti-malarial commodities to 1,565 health facilities via the “Last Mile Delivery” system.
– Training of Healthcare Workers: Enhancing capacity for accurate malaria diagnosis and effective treatment.
– Community Engagement: Revitalizing community case management initiatives through health influencers across 19 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
– Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Campaigns: In collaboration with development partners, over 3.5 million doses of preventive drugs (SPAQ) were distributed to children under five years of age.
– Insecticide-Treated Net Distribution: Over 7.7 million ITNs distributed to children under five to prevent more than 75% of malaria cases.
– Funding Support: Allocation of 10% of the Kano Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) specifically for malaria elimination activities.
Dr. Yusuf further disclosed that these interventions have significantly contributed to a reduction in malaria prevalence in Kano State, from 32.4% (NMIS 2015) to 26% according to the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS).
He also stressed the importance of environmental sanitation, urging citizens to eliminate stagnant water, clear blocked drains, and maintain clean surroundings to curb mosquito breeding.
The Commissioner expressed deep appreciation to development partners including WHO, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Society for Family Health, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative for their unwavering support. He also acknowledged the vital role of media organizations in advocating for malaria elimination.
Dr. Yusuf concluded by calling on all stakeholders, government, private sector, civil society, and community members to sustain and strengthen efforts toward making Kano State malaria-free.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar Kofar Na’isa, and made available to The People’s Pen.
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