By Garba Abdullahi Bagwai, in Kano
The Kano State Government has approved the restructuring of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Programme Team to strengthen malaria prevention efforts across the state.
The decision followed the completion and review of a report submitted by an investigative committee set up to examine the preparation and implementation of the 2026 SMC exercise in the state.
According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, Nabilisi Abubakar Kofar Na’isa, the restructured team will be headed by the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Ibrahim Aliyu Umar.
Other members are the Programme Manager, Babangida Musa; Deputy Programme Manager, Abdullahi Koki; Assistant Programme Manager, Dr Usman Umar Saurayi; State Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, Ibrahim Zubairu; and Deputy State M&E Officer, Bashir Maikano.
The team will also include six zonal M&E officers from the State Primary Health Care Management Board, as well as LGA M&E officers, Programme M&E officers and RBMs.
The government said the restructuring was aimed at improving coordination, supervision, monitoring and accountability at the state, zonal, local government and ward levels.
It added that the new structure would strengthen data quality, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, while promoting transparency and accountability in the distribution of commodities and other programme resources.
According to the statement, the restructuring would also address gaps identified during the first round of the 2026 SMC exercise and ensure the timely and effective implementation of the remaining two rounds.
The restructured team is expected to commence work immediately.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of the SMC programme, describing it as a critical intervention for preventing and controlling malaria among children under five years.
It also urged all stakeholders involved in the programme to work together to achieve its objectives of the intervention.
