Benue State Allocates N294.53m to Boost Malaria Prevention

The Benue State Government has given its approval for N294.53 million as counterpart funding for the upcoming 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign across the state. This announcement was made by Dr. Paul Ogwuche, the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, who briefed journalists in Makurdi on Saturday.

Dr. Ogwuche explained that the significant funding was sanctioned during the State Executive and Security Council meeting held on Friday at the Government House, Makurdi. According to the commissioner, this financial commitment further highlights the government's dedication to enhancing preventive healthcare measures and safeguarding children from the severe impact of malaria.

The decision, Dr. Ogwuche noted, aligns with the governor's broader strategic objective to revamp the health sector. This vision encompasses targeted investments, fostering stronger collaborations, improving coordination mechanisms, and ensuring greater accountability in health outcomes.

He stated, “the Ministry of Health and Human Services, under the present administration, has continued to pursue a more proactive approach to health-sector development, with emphasis on resource mobilisation, partnership building, effective programme coordination and interventions that deliver measurable benefits to the people of the state.” He further elaborated that “The approved N294.53 million state’s counterpart funding will complement the financial, technical and implementation support provided by the development partner, PATH, for the 2026 SMC campaign and strengthen government ownership and sustainability of the programme.”

Emphasizing the collective effort required, Dr. Ogwuche stressed that the “success of the campaign would depend not only on the resources committed by the government” but also on the “dedication, professionalism and accountability of those responsible for its implementation.” He therefore urged healthcare professionals, programme managers, and volunteers to guarantee that all medicines and other campaign resources reach their intended beneficiaries. Additionally, he called for meticulous record-keeping, robust community engagement, thorough supervision, and timely reporting.

The commissioner also appealed to parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, and other stakeholders to support the government's initiatives. He encouraged them to ensure that all eligible children participate in the campaign and receive the recommended medicines from trained health personnel. Communities were also implored to cooperate with health workers and assist in mobilisation activities to achieve the broadest possible coverage.

Dr. Ogwuche expressed gratitude to the development partner, PATH, for their support in the 2026 SMC campaign. He reaffirmed the ministry's unwavering commitment to collaborating with development partners, health workers, and communities to ensure the effective execution of the campaign and maximise the impact of the funds approved by the state government.

Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention is a vital public health intervention specifically designed to protect children in regions where malaria transmission is both seasonal and intense. It involves the regular administration of recommended antimalarial medicines to eligible children during the peak malaria transmission period, regardless of whether they are exhibiting symptoms of malaria.