BACATMA Partners Media in Fighting Malaria
By Umar Moh’d
The Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Leprosy, and Tuberculosis (BACATMA), in collaboration with the Malaria Consortium, has reaffirmed its commitment to combating malaria through partnership with the media.
This renewed partnership was part of the media parley held yesterday in Bauchi, where key stakeholders from the media and the health sector met to strategize on enhancing public awareness and participation in malaria prevention initiatives.
The Executive Chairman of BACATMA, Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo, pointed out the partnership underscored the vital role of the media in shaping public perception and behavior through the dissemination of accurate and timely health information.
He described the media as a crucial ally in mobilizing communities, particularly in the successful implementation of the Seasonal Malaria Chemo-prevention (SMC) programme.
Dr. Sambo revealed that the Bauchi State Government has procured N4.8 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) for distribution across all 20 local government areas in 2026.
He emphasized that this intervention, combined with the ongoing SMC programme, is expected to significantly reduce the malaria burden, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women.
According to Dr. Sambo, the SMC initiative targets over 2 million children under the age of five, who are at increased risk of malaria during the rainy season.
He highlighted that in 2023 alone, the programme successfully averted millions of malaria cases in Bauchi State, attributing the achievement to strategic planning, strong partnerships, and grassroots-level implementation.
He acknowledged that challenges remain, including low community awareness, inconsistent adherence to treatment protocols, and the difficulty of accessing remote and underserved areas.
He called for a more strategic and sustained media engagement to address these gaps and maintain momentum in the fight against malaria.
Also speaking, BACATMA’s Director of Malaria Control, Muhammad Isah Bello, echo praised the measurable impact of the SMC programme.
He urged media organizations to intensify efforts in promoting the programme’s objectives, particularly at the grassroots level where behavior change is most critical.
