Benue Approves N294.53m Counterpart Funding for 2026 Malaria Prevention Campaign

The Benue State Government has approved N294.53 million as counterpart funding for the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign across the state.

The funding, approved through the Ministry of Health and Human Services, is aimed at strengthening malaria prevention efforts, particularly among children who are considered highly vulnerable to malaria-related complications.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this in a statement, saying the approval reflected Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare and reducing the burden of malaria in the state.

Ogwuche explained that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention is a proven public health intervention designed to protect children in areas where malaria transmission is seasonal and intense.

He said the programme involves administering recommended antimalarial medicines to eligible children during peak malaria transmission periods, regardless of whether they show symptoms of the disease.

According to the commissioner, the state’s counterpart funding would complement financial and technical support from development partners and other stakeholders involved in the 2026 SMC campaign.

He said the funds would support critical campaign activities, including community mobilisation, training of health personnel and volunteers, logistics, drug distribution, community engagement, monitoring and supervision, as well as data collection and reporting.

Ogwuche stressed that successful implementation of the campaign would require close collaboration among the state Ministry of Health and Human Services, Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, local government health authorities, development partners, health workers, community leaders and volunteers.

He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible children receive the SMC medicines as recommended by trained health personnel.

The commissioner also called on community leaders and other stakeholders to support the campaign, describing community participation as critical to achieving effective coverage.

He said the 2026 SMC campaign would complement other malaria-control measures, including the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, environmental sanitation and community-based health education.

Ogwuche reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to protecting children and reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality across the state.

He said the N294.53 million counterpart funding was another major step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and building a healthier and more resilient Benue State.