The Enugu State Government, in partnership with the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), has enrolled 1,000 pregnant women into the state’s health insurance scheme as part of intensified efforts to eliminate malaria.
The initiative, announced during activities marking World Malaria Day, will provide beneficiaries with free malaria testing and treatment, as well as free antenatal care, delivery services, and post-natal care for both mother and child.
Speaking after she was named Malaria Elimination Ambassador for Enugu State, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, pledged to scale up efforts toward achieving zero malaria prevalence in the state.
Represented by the Wife of the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mrs. Chinyere Ugwu, she said, “We will empower women as frontline warriors to ensure concrete actions are taken even at the household level, and with the concerted efforts of all, the anticipated victory of malaria elimination is within reach.”
Corroborating her position, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, commended development partners, local coordinators, and the media for their roles in reducing malaria prevalence in the state from 25.5 per cent to 9.9 per cent.
He disclosed that free malaria testing and treatment are currently available in 527 health facilities across the state, including both public and private institutions.
According to him, “It is highly possible there will be reduction to malaria prevalence below five per cent in 2027 and a total elimination of malaria in its entirety in few years to come in the state.
“We are also getting support from some council areas that procured and distributed insecticide-treated nets and some that have enrolled thousands of their residents into the state health insurance scheme free of charge.
“The state is still expecting insecticide-treated nets from the National Malaria Elimination Programme and involvement of more partners, as well as residents keying into all malaria prevention, testing and treatment programmes.”
Ugwu further noted that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah has made significant investments in the health sector, including the construction of 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, secondary hospitals, two tertiary hospitals, and a 300-bed international hospital in Enugu metropolis.
He also appreciated key partners such as ECEWS, Johns Hopkins University Affiliate (Jhpiego), Real Pharmaceutical Ltd, WHO, UNICEF, and community malaria focal persons for their sustained support.
Earlier, the Project Director of ECEWS, Chief Ayodele Alegbeleye, said the organisation, alongside partners and the state Ministry of Health, had embarked on a week-long malaria awareness campaign.
He explained, “The next day, Wednesday, we carried out free medical outreach in five selected health facilities in Enugu State. Today, we are supporting the state in enrolling 1,000 pregnant women into the state health insurance scheme.
“Through strengthened collaboration, community driven action, and sustained advocacy, ECEWS remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s path to a malaria free future.”
As part of the event, the Ministry of Health honoured outstanding contributors, awarding Best Malaria Elimination Supportive Local Government Chairman to Rev. Beloved-Dan Anike of Enugu East Council Area, and Best Malaria Elimination Supportive LG Focal Person to Mr. Kyrian Ezeh of Udenu LGA.
