The Benue State Government has approved N294.53 million as counterpart funding for the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention campaign across the state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday.

Ogwuche said the approval was given at the State Executive and Security Council meeting held on Friday at the Government House, Makurdi.

He said the funding demonstrated the government’s commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare and protecting children from malaria.

The commissioner said the allocation would complement financial, technical and implementation support from development partner PATH for the 2026 campaign.

He said the initiative was part of the government’s broader efforts to reposition the health sector through strategic investment, stronger partnerships, effective coordination and greater accountability.

Ogwuche stressed that the success of the campaign would depend not only on government funding but also on the dedication, professionalism and accountability of those responsible for its implementation.

He charged healthcare workers, programme managers and volunteers to ensure that medicines and other campaign resources reached their intended beneficiaries.

He also urged them to maintain accurate records, engage communities effectively, supervise the exercise properly and submit timely reports.

The commissioner called on parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that all eligible children participated in the campaign and received the recommended medicines from trained health personnel.

He appreciated PATH for its support and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with development partners, health workers and communities to ensure effective implementation.

Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention is designed to protect children in areas where malaria transmission is seasonal and intense by administering recommended antimalarial medicines during peak transmission periods, regardless of whether the children show symptoms.