The Kogi State Government has announced plans to invest over four billion naira in malaria prevention as part of efforts to improve public health in line with President Bola Tinubu’s healthcare reforms.

Governor Usman Ododo made this known during the official launch of a malaria prevention campaign aimed at reducing the disease’s prevalence across the state.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa bears a significant malaria burden, with 246 million cases and over 569,000 deaths recorded annually. Children under five account for 76% of malaria-related fatalities in the region, with Nigeria alone reporting over 193,000 deaths in 2023.

The National Malaria Strategic Plan targets a reduction in malaria deaths to fewer than 50 per 1,000 births and aims to lower parasite prevalence to below 10% by the end of 2025. Governor Ododo emphasized that Kogi State’s substantial investment aligns with these national health objectives.

Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Health and other key stakeholders reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritizing healthcare as a fundamental pillar of Kogi’s development agenda.

A major highlight of the malaria prevention campaign was the symbolic distribution of free malaria drugs, insecticide-treated nets, and test kits to healthcare facilities across the state.