Benue malaria prevalence rate drops to 11.0% in 2025, as free testing, treatment continue in 434 Health Facilities

From Gabriel Agbo, Makurdi 

Benue State Government,in collaboration with its partners, has embarked  on provision of free testing and treatment of malaria in 434 health facilities across 276 council wards in the 23 Local Government Area of the State with a view to fight against malaria especially amongst the most vulnerable groups, including Children under 5 and pregnant women.

Government further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating malaria through strengthened collaboration with development partners and sustained investment in proven preventive interventions.

The  Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, made this know during Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop convened for the planning of the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, SMC, Campaign, held at the Benue Metropolitan Hotel in Makurdi, the State capital.

Dr. Ogwuche described malaria as one of the most prevalent and persistent infectious diseases in the state, noting that it continues to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under the age of five.

He announced that due to government sustained  commitment, collaboration, strategies/interventions,  ITN mass replacement campaigns, SMC campaigns and Intermittent preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp), the prevalence rate of malaria has dropped from 17.6% in 2021 to 11.0% in 2025 in Benue State.

The commissioner insisted that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention remains a scientifically proven and highly effective strategy for reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality among children, stressing that the intervention must not only be sustained but continuously strengthened for greater impact.

He  commended the implementing partner, PATH, for its steadfast support and substantial investment in improving health outcomes in Benue State, describing the partnership as both impactful and invaluable to the state’s malaria control efforts.

Reiterating government’s commitment, Dr. Ogwuche assured stakeholders that the Benue State Government will fully support the 2026 SMC campaign through the provision of counterpart funding, as well as by ensuring an enabling environment for smooth and effective implementation.

He further charged the Director of Public Health to maintain close and strategic collaboration with partners, particularly PATH, and to provide regular updates to his office, a move he noted would strengthen coordination, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability throughout the planning and implementation phases.

"I want to thank  the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his continued prioritization of the health sector and his unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people of the state.

"I therefore call for collective action and urge all stakeholders to actively engage in the planning process, contribute valuable insights, and work collaboratively towards developing a robust, result-driven implementation strategy for the 2026 SMC campaign", he said.

The Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention campaign, which specifically targets children under five years of age, remains a critical public health intervention aimed at significantly reducing the burden of malaria in high-risk communities across the state.