By: John Bassey.
The Kebbi State Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Malaria Consortium to tackle the menace of malaria and reduce the financial burden on both the state and caregivers.
The Commissioner of Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad Birnin Kebbi, made this known when he received the State Malaria Consortium Team Lead on a courtesy visit to his office. He acknowledged that despite several efforts by previous administrations, malaria remains a significant public health challenge in the state.
Alhaji Yakubu commended the Malaria Consortium for its dedication to combating malaria and assured them of the ministry’s full support. He emphasized that the government would leverage its media platforms to raise awareness about malaria prevention and treatment, ensuring the success of the initiative. The Commissioner also directed the Director of Information to mobilize all media stations to support the campaign.
He further noted that the partnership was timely, as the administration of Governor Kauran Gwandu had recently upgraded the Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru General Hospitals to Reference Hospitals to enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability for residents.
Speaking during the visit, the State Malaria Program Officer, Dr. Ashiru Mustapha, explained that their primary objective was to secure the support of the ministry and other stakeholders to help reduce the financial burden of malaria treatment on the state. He highlighted that the program targets children aged between three to 59 months.
Similarly, the Malaria Consortium’s Chain Supply Officer, Pharmacist Daniel Oguche, disclosed that the organization’s 2025 activities would commence between June and October, covering all 225 wards and 860 health facilities across Kebbi State.
With this collaboration, the Kebbi State Government and the Malaria Consortium aim to significantly reduce malaria prevalence and move towards a malaria-free state.
