The Adamawa State Government has launched the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign, targeting more than 1.2 million children under the age of five across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The campaign was officially flagged off on Friday in Yola by Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, represented by the Chief of Staff to the Government House, Dr. Edgar Amos.
Speaking at the event, Professor Farauta described malaria as a major public health challenge, particularly among children aged 3 to 59 months who are most vulnerable during the rainy season when malaria transmission peaks.
“Malaria continues to pose a serious threat to our children’s health,” she said. “This campaign is not merely a medical effort—it is a clear demonstration of our government’s commitment to protecting the lives and future of our young population.”
The SMC campaign involves the monthly administration of safe and effective antimalarial drugs to eligible children during the peak transmission period. Health officials say the intervention is expected to drastically reduce malaria-related illnesses and deaths, lower hospital admissions, improve school attendance, and enhance overall child well-being.
Farauta noted that the initiative forms part of a wider government strategy to strengthen the health sector in the state, which includes increased funding for healthcare, expanding access to primary healthcare services, and investing in a resilient health workforce.
“We are committed to both preventive and curative health services,” she stated. “This includes the provision of free malaria drugs for vulnerable groups, equipping primary health centers, and improving disease surveillance across Adamawa.”
She also commended the continuous support of development partners such as Malaria Consortium, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and other donor agencies for their role in sustaining the fight against malaria in the state.