Kwara, development partners inaugurate malaria advocacy committees, social mobilisation group

The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with its development partners, has inaugurated the State Malaria Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) Committee and the Malaria Social Mobilisation Group as part of efforts to strengthen malaria prevention and control across the state.

In a statement signed by Saad Hamdalat, press secretary, Ministry of Health, the inauguration brought together government officials, development partners, health stakeholders, and community representatives committed to advancing malaria elimination across Kwara.

Declaring the ACSM quarterly meeting open in Ilorin, Oluwatosin Fakayode, the Director Public Health, Ministry of Health, observed that malaria cases were linked to environmental factors.

The Director, who spoke through the Head of Malaria Case Management in Kwara State, Kazeem Oladapo, explained that malaria transmission is driven by environment where mosquitoes breed and survive.

The expert observed that more than half of all malaria cases in Nigeria could be traced directly to environmental factors, emphasizing that malaria transmission is driven by environmental conditions that allow mosquitoes to breed and survive.

Fakayode further disclosed that through the efforts of the State government, malaria prevalence was reduced to the barest minimum.

In her welcome address, Latifat Abdullahii, the State Programme Manager, Malaria, stated that to achieve effective Malaria elimination and control, stakeholders and policy makers must be committed and collaborate on tackling the diseases.

She further encouraged stakeholders to be more committed to advancing malaria elimination across the state through increased advocacy, community engagement, and behavioural change communication.

The purpose of the meeting, according to her, is to coordinate ACSM activities in the state, emphasising that the focus is to drive community participation, ownership of malaria prevention and to increase uptake of Malaria intervention especially in health facilities.

In his remarks, Jeremiah Ngutor-Ulaa, Data Analyst, John Hopkins Programme for International Education and Gynaecology (Jhpiego) STOP AMDR project, explained that the programme is expected to bring together all stakeholders on malaria elimination and control.

Ulaa added that the goal is to ensure that every infrastructure works to eliminate malaria across Kwara and by extension other parts of Nigeria.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would not experience anti-malarial drug resistance, stressing that there is need to deploy multiple therapy for treatment spectrum.

He added that the body is leveraging on existing structure and will collaborate to drive demands and accountability tools to advise on areas to support.

Speaking on the overview of Malaria situation in Kwara, Yemisi Ajala, the ACSM Desk Officer, stated that leading causes of Malaria in the state includes; climate, environment, behavioural and social causes among others.

Ajala posits that there is low inconsistent use of long-lasting insecticidal nets in households in the state.

She, however, observed with satisfaction that the State Government had shown commitment towards the control of the Malaria disease in the state.

According to her, the government has engaged in mass Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) distribution, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention for children, community clean-up campaigns, and Test, Treat.

She further emphasised that community members must become agents of change by promoting preventive interventions if the state is to achieve timely malaria elimination.

Ajala informed that the newly inaugurated committees are expected to support advocacy efforts, mobilise communities, promote awareness on malaria prevention, and encourage residents to access available malaria services.

She added that the Committee members are expected to work closely with relevant stakeholders to improve public awareness and strengthen community participation in malaria control activities across the state.