By Mercy Sawok
—–The Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA) and partners have launched the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign aimed at protecting more than one million children from malaria across the FCT.
The event held at LEA Primary School, Durumi II, was organised by the FCTA, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Malaria Elimination Programme Malaria Consortium, amongst others on Monday in Abuja.
Dr Adedolapo Fawase, Mandate Secretary, HSES, said the intervention remained a key strategy in reducing malaria cases, particularly among children under five years.
Fawase explained that SMC is a preventive intervention and not a treatment, noting that eligible children aged three months to under five years would receive monthly doses of antimalarial medicines during the peak transmission season.
According to her, trained Community Drug Distributors (CDDs) will conduct door-to-door visits from June to October 2026, ensuring children receive a three-day dose each month for five cycles.
“Malaria can be prevented and cured, yet it remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria carries about 27 per cent of the global malaria burden,” she said.
Fawase added that the FCT had recorded a 58 per cent reduction in malaria prevalence, declining from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 7.9 per cent in 2025, attributing the progress to collaborative efforts among government, partners and communities.
She also announced that insecticide-treated nets would be distributed from August as part of additional prevention measures, while urging residents to cooperate with health workers and take advantage of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for free malaria testing and treatment for vulnerable groups.
Dr Jenifer Chukwumerije, Technical Specialist, Philanthropic Funding SMC, Malaria Consortium, noted that the organisation would also support the FCT with insecticide-treated net distribution as part of integrated malaria prevention efforts.
She said Nigeria still accounts for over 68 million malaria cases annually and a significant proportion of global child deaths due to malaria, despite progress recorded in recent years.
She called for sustained government ownership and long-term planning to ensure the continuity of SMC beyond donor funding, stressing that strong policy support is essential for reaching every eligible child.
Health officials at the event urged residents, including those in gated communities and hard-to-reach areas, to cooperate fully with health workers so that no child is left behind.
They said the programme would reduce hospital visits, lower household healthcare costs, and improve child survival outcomes.
The campaign is expected to strengthen ongoing malaria control gains and move the FCT closer to achieving a malaria-free future.
Meanwhile, Chief of Durumi, Mr Tanko Anyidadubo expressed appreciation for the initiative, reaffirming their commitment to ensure every eligible child receives the medication.
