US commits $8m to malaria elimination in Akwa Ibom 

…as distribution of 3.9m insecticide treated nets begins 

The Government of the United States has committed $8 million to the malaria elimination programme with the funding of the campaign implementation for the distribution of over 3.9 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN)  to all households in Akwa Ibom State.

Nigeria is said to account for over 68 million malaria cases annually according to the World Malaria report of last year, while an estimated 30% of children and 11% of maternal deaths each year are due to malaria.

Malaria reportedly exerts a huge social and economic burden on our communities and country, billions of naira  are lost  to malaria annually in the form of treatment cost, prevention , loss of man hours.

Sleeping inside an insecticide-treated net is one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria asit is a physical and chemical barrier against mosquitoes, according to health officials.

In Akwa Ibom State, recent data showed a remarkable decline in malaria prevalence, dropping substantially from 30.1% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2025, a development which reflects the impact on the going malaria prevention and control interventions.

Emmanuel Ekem John, Commissioner for Health in Akwa Ibom State, who made this known in Uyo, the State capital during a media parley ahead of  ITN mass campaign said every household would receive at least one ITN during the campaign which begins from 20th to 26th June 2026.

“Before these nets are distributed, every household must be registered. This is referred to as household mobilisation where persons wearing uniforms with malaria logos will visit the households from 1st to 7th June to register and give out token slips that will entitle each household to free nets, one net per token.

“Today we are commencing another significant public health intervention, it is the 2026 insecticide treated nets mass distribution campaign which is aimed at protecting our people across Akwa Ibom State from the scourge of malaria.

“This exercise marks the fifth round of mass distribution of insecticide treated nets in Akwa Ibom following previous successful campaigns conducted in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

“We are delighted that Akwa Ibom State remains among the few states in the country that has consistently conducted successful replacement of nets campaigns across successive years.

“Despite the progress already recorded, malaria remains a major public health threat that requires our collective action. To strengthen this fight, government of Akwa Ibom State in partnership with the  National Malaria Elimination Programme”, the United States Government and Against Malaria Foundation to distribute 3.9 million insecticide treated  nets free of charge to households across the State.

He said the nets had been provided through the partnership of the State Government with the Government of the United States, the National Malaria Elimination Programme and Against Malaria Foundation free-of-charge and warned against any untoward behaviour by health workers.

He explained that “owning the net alone does not save lives, but using the nets properly by sleeping inside the nets is actually what saves lives.”

While thanking the US Government for support as well as other partners, he solicited the support of the media in raising awareness of the ITN mass distribution campaign.

“Every member of the family should sleep inside with the nets well-tucked over the sleeping area every night all year round to prevent malaria,’’ he said.