Stakeholders laud implementing partners over malaria elimination programme in Akwa Ibom

Stakeholders in the malaria elimination programme have lauded the implementing partners over their contributions towards achieving the target of a malaria free society in Akwa Ibom state.

They have also expressed delight over programmes on Social and Behaviour Change in the malaria elimination campaign as well as in advocacy and resource mobilisation.

They stated this during a one-day stakeholders review meeting organised by the state ministry of health in partnership with Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

Stakeholders which included traditional rulers, the media, health experts and community leaders including volunteers noted that the implementing partners had made significant contributions in ensuring their partnership with the state government yielded significant reduction in malaria prevalence in the state.

Among the implementing partners that attended the meeting were US President Malaria Initiative (PMI) for states, Global Health Supply Chain, Breakthrough Action and PMI Evolve.

Etop Antia, Director of Public Health, commended BA-N for effective service delivery in its efforts to bring about social and behaviour change in malaria response.

In her remarks, Eno Attah, Executive Secretary, Akwa Ibom state Primary Healthcare Development Agency (AKSPHDA) commended BA-N for a job done as one of the partners in malaria campaign in the state adding that with several health facilities built by the state government, the state government has been prepared to accelerate the campaign against malaria.

Represented by Ime Udoh, director of immunisation, said there should be a sustainable scheme by the partners to ensure continuity.

In his remarks Boniface Ukpong, deputy programme manager, state Malaria Elimination Programme said sustainability was key in the campaign to ensure effective resource mobilisation and the implication of Social Behaviour Change activity.

According to him, Akwa Ibom state with a malaria prevalence rate of 30.1 percent in the 2021 survey there was a need to work towards meeting the 2030 target of malaria elimination.

Speaking, state coordinator of PMI for states, Ime Akpan said the United States Agency for International (USAID) funded programme slated for 2020-25 was targeted at reducing malaria burden in Akwa Ibom state for testing and treatment of malaria.

Giving an overview of malaria elimination programme in the state, Ekaette Ekong said the state achieved 99.1 percent testing and treatment rate in 2023 with the uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment increased above the National Malaria Elimination target.

Speaking, Bassey Nsa, state coordinator of BA-N said the partnership programme which began in 2019, had undertaken the training of health workers, community mobilisation, media partnership, monitoring and evaluation.