Tafawa Balewa PHC Mobilises Community Leaders to Boost Seasonal Malaria Prevention Campaign
By, Maisaje Mamuda Wakili:
The Primary Healthcare Department of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area has engaged community leaders and other key stakeholders to strengthen the ongoing Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention SMC campaign aimed at protecting children under five from malaria.
The sensitisation meeting, held at the Cold Store in Bununu, focused on identifying potential challenges and developing strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign across communities in the local government.
Speaking during the meeting, the Director of Primary Healthcare, Hajiya Maryam Hashimu, said the engagement was designed to enlighten community leaders on the objectives of the SMC campaign, clarify their responsibilities, and address misconceptions that could hinder acceptance of the programme.
She noted that the initiative would further strengthen collaboration between health facilities, the local government, and community stakeholders to enhance the effective delivery of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention services.
Hajiya Maryam urged participants to take the campaign’s key messages back to their respective communities to promote awareness and encourage caregivers to ensure eligible children benefit from the intervention.
Officials of Malaria Consortium, a major partner supporting the campaign, commended the commitment of the Primary Healthcare Department and stakeholders, expressing optimism that the collaboration would contribute to the campaign’s success.
Also speaking, the Health Education Officer, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu Sambo, explained that the exercise targets children between three and 59 months of age, who are at the highest risk of contracting malaria.
The meeting was attended by community and religious leaders, security personnel, representatives of community-based organisations, and other relevant stakeholders committed to improving child health outcomes in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
