The Kwara government has organised a two-day intensive workshop for medical doctors across state health facilities, focusing on managing severe malaria.

Oluwatosin Fakayode, the director of public health at the Kwara Ministry of Health, told the doctors that the training was part of the strategic move to eliminate malaria and improve healthcare delivery in the state.

He pointed out that the aim was to boost the clinical skills of frontline healthcare professionals in the fight against severe malaria.

The training theme was “Strengthening Clinical Capacity for Early Detection, Effective Management, and Reduction of Mortality from Severe Malaria.”

The director emphasised the urgency of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of severe malaria, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children under five years and pregnant women.

He said, “This initiative forms part of the broader state malaria control efforts, including preparations for the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign.

“The SMC programme will see the house-to-house distribution of preventive antimalarial medication to children aged three to 59 months across 11 eligible local government areas of Kwara.”

According to him, severe malaria remains a major public health threat in Nigeria.

He commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq “for the unwavering commitment to malaria elimination and continuous investment in strengthening clinical capacity across all levels of care.”

The programme manager of the malaria unit, Latifat Abdullahi, thanked the participating medical doctors for their dedication to the cause despite demanding schedules.

She emphasised the importance of continuous professional development in achieving better healthcare outcomes and urged doctors to put their newly acquired skills into practice.

(NAN)