Kebbi Government Assures Support to End Malaria Scourge | The Bureau News
By Abdullahi Tukur, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Malaria Consortium to combat and ultimately eradicate malaria in the state, a development now shaping conversations in Nigeria News Today on public health reform.
Nigeria News Today: Kebbi Deepens Anti-Malaria Collaboration
The assurance was given by the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, when he received a delegation from the Malaria Consortium led by its West and Central Africa Programme Director, Dr. Maxwell Kolawole, during an advocacy visit at his office.
The Deputy Governor described malaria as an age-long public health challenge, noting that Kebbi’s vast fadama areas make parts of the state particularly vulnerable to mosquito breeding and malaria transmission.
“Malaria remains a major health concern in our environment. With our expansive agricultural and fadama zones, we must adopt innovative strategies to reduce its prevalence,” he said.
Digital Support for Rice Farmers, Water Mapping Initiative
Senator Tafida expressed optimism about the proposed partnership involving the Malaria Consortium, the State Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture. The collaboration is expected to deploy digital tools to support rice farmers and map water bodies prone to mosquito breeding.
According to The Bureau News, the integration of agricultural data with public health surveillance represents a strategic shift toward preventive malaria control.
Progress on Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention
Earlier, Dr. Maxwell Kolawole acknowledged the progress recorded under the ongoing Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme targeting children aged 1 to 59 months.
He noted that the initiative began on a pilot basis in Kebbi and Bayelsa States last year and has recorded measurable gains in child health outcomes.
The Malaria Consortium recently concluded an implementation research study under the Malaria Vaccines Programme Learning Agenda in Kebbi State. Findings from the study, he said, will be shared nationwide to strengthen malaria prevention strategies.
Rice Farming Linked to Malaria Prevalence
Dr. Kolawole further disclosed that research findings suggest rice farming activities may contribute to high malaria prevalence due to stagnant water conditions.
He assured that the Consortium would work closely with the state government to introduce digital mapping solutions and targeted interventions aimed at reducing mosquito breeding sites across rice-producing communities.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Augie; the Special Adviser to the Governor on International Donor Agencies, Dr. Usman Buhari Ali Gwandu; and the State Programme Manager for Malaria Consortium, Dr. Ridwan Jega, among other officials.
Public health experts say sustained collaboration between government and development partners remains critical to reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality across Nigeria.
For verified public health updates and policy developments shaping Nigeria News Today, follow The Bureau News.
