Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has approved the establishment of a dedicated agency known as Malaria Control Agency.
The Malaria Control Agency will focus on all major possible preventive measures for all tropical diseases.
The agency, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Imam Imam, will take off in January 2017 and will be the focal point of implementing all policies related to malaria prevention and treatment in the state.
Imam Imam pointed out that the agency will provide administrative, secretarial, communications, and logistical support in the drive to contain malaria and all related tropical diseases.
“The agency will also fulfil roles supporting working and technical groups set up by both the state and federal governments, as well as development partners and other stakeholders.
“Other responsibilities include offering and providing technical support to other health agencies and partners to improve the health of the people through prevention and control.
“Similarly, the agency will support policy makers in designing and implementing evidence-based interventions, assessing the burden of the disease and monitoring progress towards reducing mortality, by integrating these activities with management and dissemination of technical knowledge through strengthening of disease surveillance and response systems and public health programmes and services.”