The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria and strengthening access to free testing and treatment across the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazees Adeiza, made this known on Friday during a media parley organised by Famkris Healthcare Initiative in collaboration with the Kogi Malaria Elimination Programme to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day.

“Kogi State is ever ready to demonstrate the political will required to support efforts aimed at ending the disease,” the commissioner said.

Adeiza, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Maji Enok, stated that the current administration has maintained an open-door policy to ensure the success of malaria elimination programmes across the three senatorial districts.

He praised the media for its role in disseminating information, creating awareness, and educating residents on malaria prevention and treatment.

He also noted that the state government had fulfilled its obligations by paying counterpart funding to donor agencies supporting malaria elimination efforts.

Speaking at the event, the Director of the Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr Stephen Ake, disclosed that free malaria testing, treatment, and distribution of malaria commodities are currently ongoing in all 239 wards across the three senatorial districts.

Ake appealed for more financial support from development partners to sustain the programme.

He added that the 2026 focus would include the training and recruitment of health personnel, as well as expanded public awareness campaigns on malaria prevention.

Also speaking, the State Team Leader of Famkris Healthcare Initiative on Malaria Elimination, Dr Salamatu Yahaya, said their interventions cover both urban and rural communities.

She urged vulnerable groups and other residents to take advantage of the ongoing free malaria service delivery programme.