Sissili: The Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Robert Lucien Kargougou, inaugurated the seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign (CPS+) at the CSPS of Sissili, a village 15 km from Léo. The campaign aims to vaccinate 1,100,000 children aged 3 to 59 months against malaria during the rainy season.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the initiative focuses on children aged 3 to 59 months under the SMC+ program and those aged 6 to 59 months who suffer from acute malnutrition. The campaign includes efforts to locate and eliminate breeding sites of malaria-carrying mosquitoes and provides catch-up vaccinations for children aged 5 to 23 months who are insufficiently immunized.
Minister Kargougou detailed the campaign’s operations, emphasizing the role of community health workers in measuring children’s nutritional status, assessing their vaccination status, and administering preventive medicines. He stated that the goal is to provide all children in the targeted age group with free medicines to prevent
malaria during the rainy season.
The campaign spans 21 health districts, with a target of 1,100,000 children. By the second day, 39% of the target group had been reached. From Sissili, the minister urged nationwide mobilization to ensure all eligible children receive chemoprevention, vaccinations, and nutritional screening.
Additionally, Kargougou encouraged residents to maintain clean environments, destroy mosquito breeding sites, and use long-lasting insecticidal nets to combat malaria effectively.
Bako Balibié Hilaire, the head nurse at the Sissili station, reported that the campaign had achieved over 100% coverage in his area by the second day. He noted the high prevalence of malaria in the district due to significant rainfall and highlighted government and partner efforts to mitigate this issue.
During his visit, Minister Kargougou praised parents for their exemplary monitoring of their children’s vaccinations, which significantly contributes to the malaria prevention efforts.