Ouagadougou: The commune of Sabou, in the Nando region, hosted the official launch of the 2026 seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC+) campaign on Friday. This operation aims to protect nearly five million children aged 3 to 59 months against malaria during the period of high transmission of the disease.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the health authorities initiated the CPS+ 2026 campaign in Nariou, Sabou, marking the start of a significant public health intervention across the nation. This national initiative seeks to shield nearly five million young children from malaria during peak transmission times.

Representing the Minister of Health, the Governor of the Nando region, Adama Jean Yves B©r©, praised the dedication of administrative, traditional, and religious authorities, as well as the Defense and Security Forces and health workers. He stressed that such collective mobilization is critical for the success of prevention campaigns.

He highlighted that the CPS+ program entails providing free preventive medication to targeted children to minimize infection risk during the rainy season. For the 2026 edition, several stops are planned across the country to ensure all beneficiaries are covered.

The head of the national malaria control program, Dr. Sidzabda Kompaor©, noted that the initial phase includes 24 health districts nationwide. He underscored the necessity of adhering strictly to the three-dose, three-day treatment regimen to ensure the preventive treatment's effectiveness.

Authorities have urged parents to bring children to care sites and help clean up living environments, particularly by removing stagnant water, to curtail mosquito proliferation. Through this campaign, health authorities aim to reduce malaria sustainably in children under five, by combining drug prevention, community awareness, and social mobilization.