Kano Strengthens Oversight As 2026 Seasonal Chemo prevention(SMC) Resumes Statewide
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Kano State Government has strengthened the oversight and coordination of the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme following a comprehensive review of the processes, documentation and personnel arrangements for the exercise.
The development followed the constitution of an investigative committee by the Honourable Commissioner for Health on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, chaired by the Director General of the Kano State Agency for The Control of AIDS , SACA, Dr. Usman Bashir Bashir, to investigate the preparation, processes, distribution and implementation of the 2026 SMC programme in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by
Sa’adatu Suleiman,Public Relations Officer
Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board.
Sa’adatu said the committee comprises heads of relevant health agencies and other key officials within the health sector, with the Director, Administration, Kano State Ministry of Health, serving as Secretary, providing broad institutional representation for the review.
Following its deliberations, the committee engaged Malaria Elimination Programme Officers (MEPOs) from all 44 Local Government Areas to review and reconcile their respective programme data, while measures were introduced to strengthen the programme’s management, monitoring and coordination.
Abdullahi Yusuf Koki was appointed Acting Programme Manager, Bashir Maikano Acting State M&E Officer and Surayya Aminu Acting State Assistant M&E Officer. Three additional zonal M&E personnel from the State Primary Health Care Management Board were also assigned to reinforce verification, coordination and monitoring across the state.
Following the ongoing verification and necessary preparations, the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention exercise is scheduled to commence statewide on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
The investigative committee will, however, continue its work in accordance with its Terms of Reference and submit detailed findings and recommendations, including corrective, administrative and, where necessary, disciplinary measures against anyone found culpable.
The State Government reassures parents, communities, development partners and other stakeholders of its commitment to ensuring that the SMC programme is implemented with transparency, accountability, due process and effective coordination, while safeguarding the integrity of the intervention and ensuring that its intended malaria-prevention benefits reach eligible children across the state,the statement added.