No fewer than one million children under the age of five will receive free malaria prevention treatment as Adamawa State launches the first cycle of round two Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign.
The four day intensive campaign is organized by the state ministry of health in collaboration with the state healthcare development agency, Word Health Organization (WHO), SFH and UNICEF.
The target of the campaign is to drastically reduce morbidity and mortality rate as a result of malaria to the barest minimum.
In his speech, the acting state coordinator, WHO, Pharmacist Sani Halidu noted that over 76 percent of Nigerians live in areas where malaria can be easily transmitted.
He called on parents to be vigilante and ensure that all their children recieved the SMC against the killer disease.
Also speaking, Yola South local government Chairman, Engr Hamidu Muhammad who was represented by the deputy chairman, Nathaniel Pagail thanked the ministry of health and development partners for the gesture aimed at preserving lives of the most vulnerable population.
In his speech, Lamido of Adamawa Dr. Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha said the gesture could not have come at a better time because malaria is a deadly disease.
Lamido who was represented by the district head of Yola and Cika Soron Adamawa, Alhaji Ahmed Mustafa Muhammad noted that malaria is a killer disease that has ravaged Nigeria and Africa for long.
He advised parents especially women to join the fight by making sure that all their children within 3 to 59 months take the SMC as prevention is better than cure.
Also speaking, the representative of society for family health (SFH) Celina Laori called on women to make available their children during the exercise.
