By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has flagged off the distribution of 4.8 million insecticide-treated nets, ITNs, to households targeting close to 10 million people across the state in a renewed effort to strengthen malaria prevention.
The campaign will cover all the 20 Local Government Areas of the State and is expected to benefit approximately 9.9 million people.
The exercise was officially flagged off by the State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, inside the Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu Hall of the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Auwal Jatau said the distribution would take place from September 27 to October 3, 2026.
The Governor urged residents to ensure that the nets reach the intended members of their households and are properly installed and used every night.
He particularly emphasized the need for children and pregnant women to sleep under the nets, describing regular use as an important measure in preventing malaria.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam, said the government had continued to contribute financially to health programmes designed to improve the wellbeing of residents.
He disclosed that Governor Bala Mohammed approved more than N230 million as counterpart funding for the ITN campaign and warned against the diversion of the commodities.
On his part, Executive Chairman of BACATMA, Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo, said malaria prevalence in Bauchi had declined from more than 34 percent in previous years to 17.8 percent, according to the latest national indicators survey.
He explained that the current allocation of nets is expected to provide at least one net for every two residents, with 1,903 distribution centres established throughout the state.
The Global Health Supply Chain, Procurement and Supply Management representative, Jury Bako, disclosed that about 17,900 people from local communities would be engaged during the distribution exercise.
He said the campaign is designed to provide protection against malaria for nearly 9.9 million residents and commended the state government for its financial contribution towards the exercise.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mary Acema, who represented the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Nnenna Ogulafor, said Bauchi had received and distributed more than 12.7 million ITNs since 2010.
She said the latest campaign would incorporate digital household technology to strengthen monitoring, data accuracy and accountability, while the Society for Family Health and Against Malaria Foundation called on beneficiaries to make nightly use of the nets a routine.
