By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The Benue state government has approved the sum of N294.53 million as counterpart funding for the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Campaign aimed at protecting children across the state from malaria.
The approval was given at the State Executive and Security Council meeting held in Makurdi, and presided over by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche Ejeh, commended the governor for approving the funds, describing the decision as a demonstration of his commitment to protecting the lives of children and strengthening preventive healthcare in the state.
Ogwuche said the approval was also in line with the administration’s broader vision of repositioning the health sector through strategic investment, stronger partnerships, improved coordination and accountability.
According to him, the state’s counterpart funding would complement the financial, technical and implementation support being provided by development partner, PATH, for the 2026 SMC campaign.
He said the government’s contribution would also strengthen state ownership and ensure the sustainability of the programme, adding that the success of the campaign would depend on the commitment and accountability of those saddled with its implementation.
The Commissioner charged healthcare workers, programme managers and volunteers to ensure that the medicines and other campaign resources reached their intended beneficiaries.
He said, “the substantial investment by the government must translate into real health gains and improved protection for Benue children,” urging personnel involved in the exercise to see the campaign as an investment in the survival and future of the younger generation.
Ogwuche also appealed to parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the campaign by ensuring that all eligible children received the recommended medicines from trained health personnel.
He further called on communities to cooperate with health workers and support mobilisation activities to achieve the widest possible coverage.
The commissioner thanked PATH for its continued support for the campaign and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with development partners, health workers and communities to ensure effective implementation.
Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention is a preventive intervention designed to protect children in areas where malaria transmission is seasonal and intense. It involves administering recommended antimalarial medicines to eligible children during peak transmission periods, irrespective of whether they show symptoms of the disease.
The intervention complements other malaria-control measures, including the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, early diagnosis and treatment, environmental sanitation and community-based health education.
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