Kadjebi: The Kadjebi District Health Directorate is set to launch the first cycle of the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign from Wednesday, June 24 to Saturday, June 27. This initiative aims to target 16,879 children aged between three and 59 months to protect them against malaria during the peak rainy season.
According to Ghana News Agency, the exercise is part of the Ghana Health Service's broader malaria prevention strategy, and it will be conducted through monthly cycles from June to October. Mr. Eric Nana Takyi, the Kadjebi District Director of Health Service, announced that the targeted children represent 18.9 percent of the district's projected 2026 population of 89,233.
Mr. Takyi explained that trained community volunteers would conduct door-to-door visits to administer the first dose of the anti-malarial medicine to eligible children. Parents and caregivers will be instructed on how to administer the remaining doses at home. The medicines have been approved by the Ghana Health Service, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), assuring the community of their safety and long-standing use in Ghana.
He acknowledged that some children might experience mild side effects such as vomiting or stomach upset, but these symptoms are typically short-lived. Caregivers are urged to report any issues to the nearest health facility, where children will receive free treatment upon presentation of their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards.
Mr. Takyi emphasized the importance of completing all five monthly cycles to ensure maximum protection against malaria, noting that a single cycle is insufficient. Malaria remains a leading cause of illness among children under five years in the district, and the SMC could potentially reduce malaria cases in this age group by up to 75 percent during the transmission season.
He appealed to parents, guardians, and caregivers to cooperate with health workers and community volunteers by ensuring eligible children are available at home during the four-day exercise. Caregivers are also advised to store the remaining doses safely and administer them as instructed for the intervention to be effective.
The campaign is free of charge, and Mr. Takyi called on the public to support this initiative to help reduce the malaria burden and improve child health outcomes in the district. He encouraged residents with questions to contact the nearest health facility or the District Health Directorate for more information.