By Murtala Muhammad
Bauchi State Government has launched the distribution of four million, eight hundred thousand Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), valued at over 23 billion naira, to households across the state.
Launching the exercise at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi metropolis, Governor Bala Mohammed said the initiative was aimed at eliminating malaria and improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Represented by his deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Governor Bala Mohammed said malaria elimination was achievable if residents maintained environmental cleanliness and used the distributed ITNs appropriately.
He urged residents to make proper use of the nets and guard against their diversion, while assuring continued collaboration with development partners working to eliminate malaria across the state.
Speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr Adamu Sambo, said the governor had approved 230 million naira for seamless distribution of the ITNs.
Dr Sambo said the state had battled malaria prevalence of over 34 per cent in the past four years, noting that the figure had dropped to 17.8 per cent according to the latest National Health and Demographic Survey (NDHS).
Also speaking, the representative of Global Health Supply Chain, Mr Jury Baƙo, said the state government had committed over 200 million naira, representing 10 per cent support, towards the smooth implementation of the exercise.
Mr Baƙo said 17,900 people had been engaged for the ITN distribution campaign, adding that their remuneration would be paid through the support provided by the state government.
He expressed optimism that the targeted households would be reached.
The Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor, represented by the Head of Integrated Vector Management Unit, Mrs Mary Esema, expressed total support for the state government in the 2026 ITNs’ mass distribution campaign to achieve the desired result.
The Emir of Lame, Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu, also expressed commitment to ensuring strict supervision of the distribution exercise and urged residents to remain vigilant and report anyone attempting to divert the items.