FCT Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention 2025 aims to protect 983,497 children under five through SPAQ, combining door-to-door and community outreach strategies

FCT Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention 2025 is targeting 983,497 children under five, aiming to curb malaria risks during the peak transmission season from June to October.

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Olutomi Sodipo, State Project Manager of the philanthropic-funded programme, revealed the ambitious target during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

The intervention uses door-to-door drug delivery and now includes faith-based distribution to broaden community access.

Children aged 3 to 59 months—the most vulnerable age group due to underdeveloped immunity—receive a monthly three-day course of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Amodiaquine (SPAQ).

Sodipo stated that the first two cycles of the 2025 campaign already achieved over 98% coverage.

“From 689,283 children reached in 2022, we grew to 939,729 in 2024. This year, we aim even higher,” she said, crediting the success to more than 10,000 trained community drug distributors.

However, she warned of persistent challenges, including poor house-marking and inconsistent guideline adherence.

She urged caregivers to ensure children complete the full SPAQ dosage and cooperate with trained personnel during household visits.

Iheoma Nzekwe, the SMC Programme Officer, reminded families to also use insecticide-treated nets, emphasizing that SMC should be one part of a broader malaria prevention strategy.

Programme Manager Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim praised improvements in reaching previously inaccessible areas, such as gated communities.

She called on the media to help combat misinformation and boost public understanding of the life-saving initiative.

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Cycle three of the campaign is scheduled for August 8–11, with plans already underway to ensure smooth implementation.