Government Restructure SMC Programmes Team To Strengthen Malaria Prevention
From Muhammad Kabir Kano
Kano State Government has approved the restructuring of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Programme Team following the completion and review of an investigative committee’s report on the preparation and implementation of the 2026 SMC exercise in the State.
The restructuring is aimed at repositioning the SMC programme for improved performance and strengthening coordination, supervision, monitoring and accountability at all levels.
The new team is headed by the Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Umar. Other members, includes Program Manager, Babangida Musa; Deputy Program Manager, Abdullahi Koki; Assistant Program Manager, Dr. Usman Umar Saurayi; State M&E, Ibrahim Zubairu; and Deputy State M&E, Bashir Maikano, alongside six State Primary Health Care Management Board Zonal M&Es, LGA M&Es, Programme M&Es and RBMs.
According to the resolutions, the restructuring is expected to improve coordination and supervision across the State, Zonal, LGA and Ward levels; strengthen data quality, reporting, monitoring and evaluation; promote accountability and transparency in the distribution of commodities and resources; address gaps identified during the first round; and ensure the timely and effective implementation of the remaining two rounds of the 2026 SMC exercise. The restructured team is expected to commence work immediately.
The State Government reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of the SMC programme as a critical intervention for the prevention and control of malaria among children under five years, and called on all stakeholders to work together to achieve the objectives of the intervention
