Benue approves N294.53m counterpart funding for 2026 malaria campaign

Dr. Paul Ogwuche, the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, announced this decision, which was made at the State Executive and Security Council meeting. This funding demonstrates the government's commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare and protecting children from malaria, aligning with the governor’s vision for repositioning the health sector through strategic investment and partnerships. The N294.53 million will complement financial, technical, and implementation support from the development partner, PATH, for the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention campaign.

Ogwuche urged healthcare workers, program managers, and volunteers to ensure medicines and resources reach beneficiaries, maintain accurate records, engage communities, and provide timely reports. He also called on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to ensure eligible children participate and receive recommended medicines from trained personnel. Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention involves administering antimalarial medicines to eligible children during peak transmission periods, regardless of symptoms.