THE MEDICINE THAT HELPS PREVENT MALARIA IN CHILDREN DURING THE RAINY SEASON

Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Project Sokoto and Zamfara States Information for Traditional and Religious Leaders

Community leaders talking to community members

Malaria is a major cause of illness What is Seasonal malaria and deaths in . Children chemoprevention? under 5 years are more vulnerable to the malaria. The government at Seasonal malaria chemoprevention all level in Nigeria are working (SMC) is an effective method to prevent with partners and the community malaria in children in the Sahel region leaders to prevent and control where the peak of malaria transmission malaria. Sokoto&Zamfara States in season is about four months. Sahel region includes Sokoto and Zamfara collaboration with partners are state along with other states in northern implementing a new intervention Nigeria. to prevent malaria in children during the rainy season. The SMC consists of administering a 3-day intervention is known as seasonal anti-malaria medication to children aged malaria chemoprevention (SMC). 3-59 months, for 4 times, at one month interval, during the rainy season.

Protecting our Children From Malaria is the responsibility of all: Community Leaders, Play Your Part.

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES THE MEDICINE THAT HELPS PREVENT MALARIA IN CHILDREN DURING THE RAINY SEASON

What are the benefits of SMC? every day at home for the 2 following days. The SMC medicines help prevent malaria in children.Malaria is a serious Role Model Care Givers will pass house- disease that can kill children in just a few to-house, others will be positioned at days; repeated attacks of malaria also fixed locations to dispense the impede the children's growth. Children medicines. who do not get sick with malaria have better health, and grow and develop Mothers and fathers are expected to stronger bring their children, aged 3 months to 5 years old, to receive these drugs to help In order to have the full benefits, SMC them avoid malaria during the rainy has to be complemented with other season. malaria prevention methods. Children should continue to especially sleeping Role of Traditional and under LLIN (treated Mosquito nets) Religious Leaders every night, to ensure full protection. As traditional or religious leader: When and where the SMC ?Support Government, CBOs and project is being implemented? Development Partners' effort to train and mobilize qualified manpower for In , the SMC intervention SMC activities in your community will cover 10 local government areas (LGAs) in 2015.The LGAs are as ?Join other leaders to mobilize follows Gada, 2) , 3) , 4) community members to provide , 5) Ilela, 6) Isa, 7) Sabon additional support and conducive Birnin, 8) , 9) Wamakko, 10) work environment to carry out the work of SMC in your community

In Zamfara State the LGAs for the ?Inform local populations about the project are as follows 1) Bakura, 2) SMC campagn, the free distribution Brinin Magaji, 3) Bungudu, 4) Kauran of the medcines, the distribution Namoda, 5) Shinkafi, 6) Talata Mafara, points services , and opportunities for 7) Zurmi. better care.

How often will the children have ?Act as a role model for SMC. Bring to take the drug? your children and encourage your community members to bring their The drug will be given monthly, over 4 children out to get the SMC medicine months during the peak of rainy season. One full treatment of the SMC medicine ?Hold community meetings to promote for 3 days: on the first day, the child will SMC be given the medicine on the spot by the role model care givers, and observed. ?Praise and thank volunteers for their The mother will receive the 2 other help and commitment to support the doses, and give to the child one dose health and growth of our children.

Protecting our Children From Malaria is the responsibility of all: Community Leaders, Play Your Part.

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES