The Anambra State Government has announced its readiness to become one of the first states in Nigeria to receive the new R21/Matrix-Malaria vaccine, with necessary facilities already in place.

Dr. Afam Obidike, the state’s Commissioner for Health, made this known during a press conference in Awka to mark the 2024 World Malaria Day, under the theme “Accelerate the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”

The initiative is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to realizing a malaria-free state, as highlighted by Dr. Afam Anaeme, Director of Public Health, who represented Dr. Obidike at the event.

He said: “As we are already aware, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine has been approved and recommended for malaria prevention in children from five months to 36 months of age.

“The WHO, Gavi and partners are prepared to support Nigeria and other countries as they prepare to introduce the malaria vaccines.

“The process is still ongoing and is being overseen by the Federal Ministry of Health.

“Gov. Chukwuma Soludo made a passionate appeal to stakeholders that Anambra state should be one of the first states to have access to the vaccine.

“In preparation, we have created a space for Malaria Consortium to ensure that nothing will remove Anambra from the pool of the first set of states to get the vaccine when it is ready.”

Dr. Afam Obidike, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Health, highlighted the state government’s significant investments and interventions that have led to a reduction in malaria incidences.

Key achievements include:

1. Distribution of 3.8 million mosquito nets in partnership with Malaria Consortium, resulting in an increase in net usage from 27% to 57%, surpassing the national average of 37%.
2. Achieving a 93.6% fever testing rate in the last quarter of 2023, with 95.7% of confirmed malaria cases receiving treatment with recommended ACT drugs.
3. Implementation of the Free Antenatal Care scheme, providing pregnant women with Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine for malaria prevention. However, access to this drug during the first antenatal visit was at 65% in the last quarter, indicating the need to sustain efforts.

Dr. Obidike expressed gratitude to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Malaria Consortium for their support, with Dr. Bonos Mohammed, State Coordinator of WHO, pledging continued assistance to further reduce health indices.