By Hosanna Eseose
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified efforts to eliminate malaria across the territory, urging residents, particularly pregnant women, to take advantage of free malaria prevention, testing and treatment services available in public health facilities.
The call was made during the Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) Core Group meeting organised by the Public Health Department of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking at the meeting, the Programme Manager of the FCT Malaria Elimination Programme, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, said the FCT was recording renewed progress in malaria control following increased support from the Administration under the leadership of the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
According to her, the territory had previously received limited malaria interventions, but the current level of commitment has strengthened efforts to reduce the burden of the disease.
“We have started seeing encouraging results since the commencement of the renewed malaria interventions. Although there are still challenges, the progress recorded so far shows that we are moving in the right direction,” she said.
Ibrahim expressed concern over the low uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp), despite the service being offered free of charge at public health facilities. She stressed that pregnant women should register early for antenatal care and receive the recommended preventive medication under Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).
She also identified inadequate documentation of IPTp administration and limited community mobilisation as major challenges affecting the programme’s effectiveness.
The programme manager explained that implementing partners, including FamKris Health Initiative, are supporting the FCT through community sensitisation campaigns, radio jingles and other awareness initiatives aimed at increasing the utilisation of free malaria services.
She further announced the introduction of a strengthened Grievance Redress Mechanism to enable residents report cases where they are denied free malaria services or asked to pay unofficial charges.
According to her, complaint boxes in health facilities are now managed by Ward Development Committees, while toll-free telephone lines have also been introduced to ensure prompt investigation of complaints.
Ibrahim assured residents that malaria testing, treatment with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), preventive treatment for pregnant women and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) for eligible children remain free in government health facilities.
She disclosed that the first cycle of the ongoing SMC campaign achieved nearly 100 per cent coverage, adding that preparations were underway for a territory-wide distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets expected to benefit more than four million residents.
“Our message to residents is simple: malaria services are free. Do not assume every fever is malaria. Visit a health facility, get tested and receive appropriate treatment. Pregnant women should attend antenatal clinics where malaria prevention medicines are provided at no cost,” she said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the FCT ACSM Core Group, Samuel Simon, urged Nigerians to support government efforts by promoting accurate health information within their communities.
He noted that advocacy, communication and social mobilisation remain critical to addressing misconceptions, increasing service uptake and ensuring residents benefit from available malaria interventions.
“The government cannot do it alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play in promoting healthy communities. People should know that malaria testing and treatment, as well as many other public health services, are free in government facilities,” Simon said.
Earlier, the ACSM Lead at the Public Health Department, Salamatu Nagogo, emphasised that effective communication and community engagement are essential to malaria elimination efforts.
She explained that while insecticide-treated nets, medicines and diagnostic tools remain important, their impact depends largely on community acceptance and proper utilisation.
Nagogo said the establishment of the ACSM Core Group would strengthen advocacy, improve collaboration among stakeholders, promote the exchange of best practices and mobilise greater support for malaria interventions across the six area councils of the FCT.
The meeting brought together health educators, community mobilisers, traditional birth attendants and representatives of non-governmental organisations supporting malaria advocacy and social mobilisation activities in the Federal Capital Territory.