Kebbi State Reaffirms Commitment to Malaria Elimination

Kebbi State has recommitted to eliminating malaria as its prevalence has decreased to 1.7%. During a workshop organized by the Kebbi State Ministry of Health in partnership with the Malaria Consortium, Health Commissioner Yakubu Samaila Augi emphasized the government's dedication to providing an enabling environment for credible partners to ensure malaria is no longer a public health threat.

The state has approved the inclusion of malaria vaccines in the routine immunization schedule, a landmark decision aimed at reducing the disease burden among eligible children. The Malaria Consortium's West Central Africa Program Director, Kolawol Maxwel, praised Kebbi's progress, noting that malaria prevalence had dropped from 13.6% to 1.7% since the project's commencement.

The workshop highlighted the importance of data-driven planning and community engagement in sustaining these gains, with various stakeholders, including local health directors and traditional rulers, in attendance.