Kano Strengthens Oversight as 2026 SMC Programme Resumes
By Maikudi Muhammad Marafa
The Kano State Government has reinforced oversight, accountability and coordination mechanisms for the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme following a comprehensive review of the programme’s planning, documentation, personnel deployment and implementation processes.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations officer Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board Sa’adatu Suleiman disclosed that, The intervention follows the establishment of a high-level investigative committee by the Honourable Commissioner for Health on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, to assess the preparation, implementation procedures, commodity distribution and overall management of the 2026 SMC exercise across the state.
Kano Government Suspends SMC Programme, Constitutes High-Powered Committee to Review Implementation
The committee, chaired by the Director General of the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Dr. Usman Bashir, comprises heads of relevant health agencies and key officials within the health sector. The Director of Administration, Kano State Ministry of Health, serves as the Committee Secretary, ensuring broad institutional representation throughout the review process.
As part of its assignment, the committee convened Malaria Elimination Programme Officers (MEPOs) from all 44 Local Government Areas to reconcile programme data, validate operational records and strengthen implementation strategies ahead of the commencement of field activities.
To further enhance programme coordination and monitoring, the government approved key interim appointments. Abdullahi Yusuf Koki has been appointed Acting Programme Manager, Bashir Maikano as Acting State Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, and Surayya Aminu as Acting State Assistant M&E Officer. In addition, three zonal Monitoring and Evaluation officers from the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board have been deployed to strengthen supervision, verification and field coordination across the state.
Following the completion of the ongoing verification process and other necessary preparations, the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention exercise will officially commence across Kano State on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
Meanwhile, the investigative committee will continue to discharge its responsibilities in line with its Terms of Reference and will submit a comprehensive report containing its findings and recommendations, including corrective, administrative and, where necessary, disciplinary measures against any individual found culpable.
The Kano State Government reassures parents, caregivers, communities, development partners and all stakeholders of its unwavering commitment to ensuring that the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention programme is implemented with the highest standards of transparency, accountability, due process and effective coordination, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the intervention and ensuring that eligible children receive the life-saving malaria prevention treatment.
