– Sterling Oil, others intensifies awareness campaign
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria recorded over 24 million confirmed malaria cases in 2025, as limited access to healthcare services and poor community health literacy continue to worsen the country’s malaria burden, according to the World Health Organisation, WHO.
Concerned by the trend, the Vcare for Development Foundation, VCDF, in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Malaria Elimination Programme, malaria implementing partners and the private sector, intensified malaria prevention campaigns across underserved communities in Akwa Ibom State.
The weeklong 2026 World Malaria Day campaign, themed “Driven to End Malaria, Now We Can, Now We Must,” was supported by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, SEEPCO.
The campaign, which held in April, focused on promoting malaria prevention practices among pregnant women and children under five years old.
Activities commenced at the Primary Health Centre in Mbiokporo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, where nursing mothers received sensitisation on malaria prevention, early diagnosis and the importance of utilizing available healthcare services.
Health workers also demonstrated the proper use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets while addressing common misconceptions surrounding malaria prevention and treatment.
The awareness drive later extended to schools in West Itam and Ibiaku Itam communities, where 362 participants and nine government officials took part in sensitization sessions.
According to organisers, women accounted for 62 percent of participants, highlighting the critical role mothers and caregivers play in transferring health knowledge within households.
A road walk tagged “Walk to End Malaria” was also organised to raise public awareness and encourage community participation in malaria prevention efforts.
The campaign concluded with a thanksgiving service at the Lutheran Church in Uyo, attended by over 500 worshippers.
Speaking during the event, an official of the Akwa Ibom State Hospital Management Board stressed the need for continuous community action in the fight against malaria.
“I am grateful to be part of this walk to end malaria for good. The fight against malaria requires constant community action, early treatment, and the right preventive habits. Every household must remain part of the response,” the official stated.
VCDF disclosed that the World Malaria Day campaign activities reached over 3,500 people across the state through local government planning meetings, distribution of Information, Education and Communication materials to 107 primary healthcare centres, and 35 community outreaches.
The organisation noted that the collaboration strengthened coordination between government agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations, while improving resource mobilisation and support for malaria prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and other basic healthcare interventions.
According to VCDF, sustained awareness, regular use of mosquito nets and prompt treatment remain critical to reducing malaria prevalence in Nigeria.
The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging SEEPCO’s corporate social responsibility investments to support inclusive healthcare delivery in partnership with state ministries of health across the country.
