The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative for States (PMI-S) recently held its Task Order 3 dissemination event in Cross River State, marking the conclusion of the project’s activities in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, and Ebonyi States. The event brought together various stakeholders to celebrate the achievements and reflect on the impact of the five-year flagship project launched by the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, was ably represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ekpo Ekpo Bassey. He commended the PMI-S team for their commitment to tackling malaria in the state and improving health outcomes. According to him, “PMI-S has been instrumental in reducing malaria cases in our state. Through their support, we have seen improvements in the health of our people, particularly at the grassroots level.” He also noted that the partnership has strengthened the state’s healthcare system and expressed optimism about sustaining the gains achieved.
Dr. Vivian Mesembe Otu, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, appreciated the collaborative approach of PMI-S, which she described as a game-changer in malaria control efforts. She stated that the project has truly shown us the power of working together. From strengthening health systems to empowering communities with knowledge and tools, PMI-S has left a lasting legacy in Cross River State,” she said. The SPHCDA Boss also highlighted how the initiative has built capacity within the healthcare workforce, ensuring that the progress made will be maintained even as the project ends.
Tena Gebret Sadik, Deputy Director for the Health Population and Nutrition Office at USAID Nigeria, emphasized the U.S. government’s dedication to improving health outcomes in Nigeria. Sadik added that the work done in Cross River and the other states is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration. PMI-S has made a remarkable impact, and we are proud to have been part of this journey,” Sadik said. He also encouraged stakeholders to continue building on the successes recorded, ensuring that the fight against malaria remains a priority.
Dr. Iniabasi Nglass, the Deputy Chief of Party for PMI-S, reflected on the journey and expressed pride in the project’s accomplishments. “It has been a fulfilling experience working on PMI-S in Cross River State and the other three states. Together with our partners, we’ve been able to significantly reduce malaria-related deaths, improve case management, and ensure better access to preventive tools,” she said. She assured attendees that the lessons learned and the systems strengthened would continue to yield positive outcomes for years to come.
Dr. Aniefiok Akpassa, Senior Technical Malaria Lead for PMI-S, provided a detailed overview of the key findings and results of Task Order 3. He explained how innovations introduced by the project, such as data-driven decision-making and enhanced community-level interventions, have contributed to its success. He mentioned that PMI-S has prioritized strategies that work, and the results are clear. From the use of malaria commodities to capacity building, we have left a solid foundation for future malaria elimination efforts.
Barrister Anthony Effiom, who represented the Commissioner for International Development, spoke about the transformative impact of PMI-S on the state’s health sector. Effiom emphasized that the PMI-S project has demonstrated the power of strategic collaboration. Cross River State has greatly benefited from this initiative, and the partnership will continue to inspire other developmental programs in the state,” he said. He also reiterated the state government’s commitment to sustaining the gains achieved through the project.
The event also featured a moment of recognition for ACOMIN (Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition), which received an award for its collaboration with PMI-S. The organization was praised for its role in driving community engagement and supporting the implementation of malaria interventions. PMI-S also expressed gratitude to the National Malaria Elimination Program, the malaria programs of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Oyo, and Ebonyi States, as well as PMI-funded and malaria implementing partners, for their invaluable contributions to the project’s success.
Another highlight of the event was a 2-minute end-of-project documentary presented by the State Coordinator of PMI-S, Dr. Victor Bassey. Additionally, Mr. Ene Ita captivated the audience with a poem about malaria delivered in the local dialect.
As PMI-S concludes its activities in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, and Ebonyi States, stakeholders expressed hope that the progress made would inspire continued efforts to eliminate malaria in Nigeria. The project has demonstrated that with the right partnerships, strategies, and dedication, a malaria-free future is achievable.
Also in attendance at the event were a representative of the World Health Organization, the program manager of the State Malaria Elimination Program, the Special Adviser from the Ministry of Education, a representative from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), the Director of Medical Services, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, as well as other dignitaries.