SUNTV Global Channel | August 18, 2026
Health workers participating in the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme in Benue State have raised concerns over unpaid stipends, delayed contracts, poor communication and difficult working conditions as the 2026 programme enters another implementation cycle.
The affected workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some participants had completed previous field activities without receiving their stipends, while others were being asked to continue with August operations using their personal money.
The SMC programme in Benue is reportedly being implemented by PATH and is scheduled to run from June to September 2026.
According to the workers, the recruitment and onboarding process was rushed, with some successful applicants receiving invitations for training only hours before they were expected to report.
Although the training was completed, some participants said they began field assignments without receiving formal contracts outlining the terms of their engagement.
Workers said the situation became more frustrating after the first implementation cycle in June, when several participants allegedly remained unpaid despite completing their assignments.
They also claimed that the payment situation persisted during the July cycle, with some categories of workers reportedly receiving payments while others continued to wait for outstanding stipends.
Some participants said they had been forced to spend their own money on transportation, phone calls and movement between communities while carrying out programme activities.
“We are spending our own money to transport ourselves, make calls and move around communities. You cannot continue asking people to work when you have not paid them for the previous cycle,” one participant alleged.
There were also complaints from some workers about deductions from payments reportedly received by certain Community Drug Distributors.
The delayed contracts have equally become a major concern, particularly among Team Technical Assistants. Workers alleged that contracts were being distributed gradually, leaving some participants with documentation while others continued to wait.
Some workers said they were told that internet connectivity problems were responsible for the delay, but questioned why some participants were receiving contracts while others were not.
The workers also expressed dissatisfaction with communication surrounding their outstanding payments. According to participants, they were allegedly given specific dates for payment, but the expected payments did not arrive.
They further alleged that the WhatsApp group used by programme participants for communication was locked after workers began asking questions about unpaid stipends.
The participants said the situation had left many workers financially strained, particularly as they were being mobilised for another cycle of field activities.
One worker said it was difficult for someone who had not received payments for June and July to continue financing programme activities from personal funds.
Despite their complaints, the workers stressed that they understood the importance of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, particularly in protecting children from malaria.
They said their concerns were primarily about receiving the payments due to them, obtaining their contracts and having clear communication from programme managers.
The affected workers are calling on PATH, Benue State health authorities and other relevant stakeholders to urgently resolve the outstanding payments, issue contracts to all affected personnel and establish a reliable communication channel for workers.
They also appealed for assurances that participants would not face victimisation for raising concerns about their welfare.
SUNTV Global Channel has not independently verified the workers’ allegations. The response of PATH and the relevant Benue State authorities was not included in the material provided for this report.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
