The Plateau State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria as the Plateau State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Malaria Consortium, engaged media practitioners and key stakeholders ahead of the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign.
The media parley, held at the Crispan Event Centre in Jos, brought together health professionals, development partners, journalists and other critical stakeholders to strengthen public awareness and mobilise community participation in the campaign, which targets children under the age of five the group most vulnerable to malaria.
Speaking during the engagement, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, described the media as an indispensable partner in the state’s malaria elimination efforts, stressing that consistent public education remains essential to the success of the intervention.
According to him, Plateau State has witnessed a remarkable decline in malaria prevalence over the last four years, with the rate dropping from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to just 2.8 per cent in 2025 an impressive 87 per cent reduction.
He attributed the achievement to increased government commitment, effective implementation of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention programme, and the unwavering support of development partners.
“The prevalence rate has dropped from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 2.8 per cent in 2025, representing about an 87 per cent reduction. It shows that malaria elimination is possible, and with sustained support for the SMC programme, we can achieve zero malaria,” Ba’amlong stated.
Project Manager of the IMPACT Project, Nrs. Ndak Andarawus, revealed that the 2026 SMC campaign aims to reach 1,007,652 eligible children across Plateau State.
To ensure the campaign’s success, he disclosed that more than 11,500 health workers, supervisors, volunteer drug distributors and community leaders have been mobilised and trained for the exercise.
Unlike routine hospital-based interventions, trained volunteers will administer preventive malaria medicines directly to children through house-to-house visits, with digital monitoring systems deployed to track coverage and ensure no eligible child is left behind.
Andarawus noted that the programme’s success over the years has been driven by strong government leadership, strategic partnerships and active participation from communities across the state.
The Project Manager of Malaria Consortium, Dr. Mbwas Mashor, explained that the engagement with journalists was organised to strengthen collaboration with the media and encourage accurate reporting that will drive public acceptance of the programme.
He described Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention as a World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended intervention that provides safe and effective preventive malaria medicines to children aged three to 59 months during periods when malaria transmission is highest.
“We want the media to strengthen public awareness, promote accurate information and support community acceptance of the SMC campaign so that every eligible child is protected,” Mashor said.
He emphasised that increased awareness and accurate information remain crucial in ensuring caregivers willingly allow their children to receive the preventive medicines.
The Permanent Secretary of the Plateau State Ministry of Health described the media parley as timely, urging journalists to continue reporting responsibly on malaria prevention and the benefits of the SMC programme.
Also speaking, Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Consultant, Mr. Kaskida Yilyok, highlighted the influential role of the media in shaping public perception, combating misinformation and encouraging caregivers to embrace the intervention.
Programme Officer, Miss Kachollom Gyang, underscored the programme’s commitment to safeguarding, noting that all staff, partners and volunteers undergo regular training to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
She explained that the programme operates a zero-tolerance policy on abuse and encouraged members of the public to promptly report any safeguarding concerns for investigation.
Representatives of major health professional bodies in Plateau State also pledged continued support for the campaign.
Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Plateau State, Dr. Yilji Kumtap, commended the Ministry of Health and the State Malaria Elimination Programme for the significant gains recorded in malaria control, assuring them of the association’s continued collaboration.
Similarly, Pharm. Godwin Nimyel, representing the Plateau State Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), stressed the importance of quality-assured medicines and strict regulation to eliminate substandard drugs.
Representing the Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Molsat Emmanuel Sydney also applauded the Ministry of Health, the State Malaria Elimination Programme and Malaria Consortium for their efforts, pledging continued grassroots support to ensure the success of the 2026 campaign.
With more than one million children expected to benefit from this year’s Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention campaign, Plateau State is building on years of measurable progress in its fight against one of Nigeria’s leading public health challenges.
As preparations intensify, government agencies, development partners, health workers, community leaders and the media are united in one goal: ensuring every eligible child receives life-saving preventive treatment and moving Plateau closer to a malaria-free future.
