The Rivers State Government says the incidence of malaria in the state has dropped from 13 percent to 8.8 percent, following increased public awareness and the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this during an advocacy visit by the Programme Director of the Against Malaria Foundation, AMF, United Kingdom, Shaun Walsh.
Wachukwu said Rivers remains a malaria endemic state due to its rainforest environment, expressing optimism that the planned mass distribution of mosquito nets would further reduce malaria cases. He assured that the state government would work with the foundation to ensure the nets reach households across the state.
He said pregnant women and children would be prioritised in the distribution because of their vulnerability to malaria, adding that household based enumeration would be used to support proper planning and distribution of the nets.
On his part, Programme Director of AMF UK, Shaun Walsh, said the foundation has committed 60 million dollars to support six African states that had not received funding for mass malaria campaigns.
Walsh said Rivers State was prioritised as the first of the six states because of its malaria burden. He disclosed that AMF plans to have the mosquito nets in Rivers State by May 2027, ahead of the peak rainy season in July.
He added that the 2027 campaign would include electronic household registration, tracking of mosquito nets and independent monitoring before, during and after the distribution exercise.
