Kwara State Government has launched its 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign, targeting over 700,000 children under five years across 11 local government areas.

Commissioner for Health Dr Amina El-Imam announced the initiative during the campaign's inauguration at Ilorin's Children's Specialist Hospital on Monday, stating: "This mass administration of antimalarial drugs to children aged three to 59 months is a critical step toward eradicating malaria-related deaths in Kwara."

The campaign, implemented in partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Programme and supported by the Global Fund, sees the state contributing matching funds to receive the life-saving medications. Dr El-Imam emphasised that Kwara is among 21 Nigerian states benefiting from this WHO-recommended intervention, which has significantly reduced severe malaria cases in children during peak transmission seasons.

The SMC drive forms part of Kwara's broader strategy to achieve zero malaria deaths by 2027 through preventive treatment, community education, and strengthened healthcare infrastructure.

"Malaria remains one of the greatest public health challenges facing our communities, particularly affecting our children under five years and pregnant women, thereby straining our families and our health system.

"It is a disease that claims lives and hinders our developmental progress. However, through concerted efforts, innovation, and partnership, Kwara State is turning the tide against malaria".

The commissioner described the SMC as a proven, life-saving intervention designed to protect vulnerable children during the peak malaria transmission season.

She noted that by administering preventive treatment during the critical months, burden of malaria morbidity and mortality would be reduced.

"Our health workers, community volunteers, and all stakeholders are prepared and determined to ensure that the doses reach every eligible child promptly and safely.

"Let me emphasise that the success of this campaign depends heavily on community participation and acceptance," she said.

She, therefore, called on community leaders, parents and caregivers to support the initiative by encouraging children to receive their treatments on schedule.

El-Imam appealed to mothers and caregivers to inculcate utmost cleanliness of the environment and other preventive practices such as consistent use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

"Environmental sanitation is crucial in eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and prompt health-seeking behaviour when symptoms arise," she said. (NAN)