The Bauchi State Government has launched a campaign to distribute 4.8 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) across the state, aiming to reduce malaria transmission. The Chairman of the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis/Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo, flagged off the 2026 ITN Mass Distribution Campaign at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, Bauchi. He warned that anyone found diverting the nets would face appropriate sanctions.
According to Dr. Sambo, logistics for the exercise have been completed, with 100 per cent of the nets already transported to 1,903 distribution points across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state. He appealed to local government chairmen, security agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure that the nets reach the intended beneficiaries. The government emphasized that the nets are for utilisation to reduce malaria transmission, not for sale, fishing, or as nursery shades on farms.
The Bauchi State Government is collaborating with the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) to sustain monthly environmental sanitation as part of measures to prevent malaria. Dr. Sambo disclosed that the state has received national awards for ranking highest in the country in domestic resource mobilisation for tuberculosis control for two consecutive years. The integration of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) with childhood tuberculosis screening has made Bauchi the leading state in childhood TB detection.
The Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, commended the state government's efforts to improve the health sector through efficient and effective service delivery. He noted that reforms and interventions by the government and development partners have contributed to improvements in the state's health sector. Dr. Dambam urged beneficiaries of the nets to use them according to the instructions to achieve the objective of reducing malaria transmission.
Representatives of various development partners reaffirmed their continued support for the government's efforts to improve healthcare service delivery in the state. The state government has prioritised improvement of the health sector, and the distribution of ITNs is part of the efforts to combat malaria. The campaign aims to ensure that every person in the state has access to the nets.
The distribution of ITNs is a significant step towards reducing malaria transmission in Bauchi State. The government has taken measures to ensure that the nets reach the intended beneficiaries, and warned against diversion or misuse. The state's efforts to prevent malaria include collaboration with development partners and environmental protection agencies.
The Bauchi State Government's efforts to improve healthcare have been recognised nationally, with awards for domestic resource mobilisation for tuberculosis control. The state continues to work towards improving healthcare service delivery, with support from development partners. The distribution of ITNs is part of the comprehensive approach to combat malaria and improve the health sector.
Key points
- The Bauchi State Government has warned against diversion or misuse of 4.8 million Insecticide-Treated Nets.
- The nets are being distributed to reduce malaria transmission, and beneficiaries are urged to use them according to instructions.
- The state has received national awards for ranking highest in domestic resource mobilisation for tuberculosis control.
