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FG Approves 12.5 Billion to Fight Against Malaria

By Fatima Saka

In eliminating malaria, the federal government of Nigeria has approved 12.5 billion naira to cater for malaria products in ensuring the continuous availability of antimalarial drugs and other commodities, while the country still accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 32% deaths of malaria globally.

The minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the ministerial press briefing as the ministry commemorates the 2023 World Malaria.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement” and the slogan is “Act now”.

Dr Ehanire who was represented by Mr. Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of health, said as a result in fighting against malaria, President Muhammadu Buhari Inaugurated the Nigeria End Malaria Council in 2022 to scale up the processes in eliminating malaria.

He further reiterated that malaria elimination remains high on Nigerians agenda with strong political will from leaders at all levels, adding that the advocate at national and state levels to fine tune the process by providing sufficient funding to protect and sustain the progress, in order to be on an irreversible pathway to ending malaria in the country.

The Minister stated that the council is chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, alongside prominent public and private sectors, religious leaders and civil society personalities.

“It is estimated that approximately 55 million cases of malaria and nearly 90.000 malaria-related deaths occur each year in our country.

“Malaria also has an adverse effect on the economy of our nation as it is the major cause of absenteeism in schools, offices, businesses, markets and thereby reducing the income of families, including the hardship of out-of-pocket expenses borne by Nigerians yearly for diagnosis and treatment. The out-of-pocket expenditure for malaria is estimated to be over 70% and Nigerians pay as much as N2.280.00 for each malaria.

“The economic burden of malaria in Nigeria was estimated at $1.6b (N687 billion) in 2022 and may increase to about $2.8b (N2 trillion) in 2030. It is important to note that successful control of malaria will increase productivity, improve health, reduce school absenteeism, reduce poverty and facilitate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Consequently, we must continue to fight to achieve zero malaria by 2030, in line with the World Health Organization’s Global Technical Strategy,” the minister.

Dr Ehanir, further emphasized that this is a clarion call to the populace particularly those of us who live in malaria endemic regions, who account for most of the burden and deaths, to avail ourselves of the available tools and strategies to enable us to reach those in need.

These following calls, “Invest in efforts to defeat malaria in this regard, we must ensure that funding is prioritized for the most marginalized and hard-to-reach populations who are less able to access services and are hardest hit when they become ill.

“Invest in and step-up innovative strategies and interventions that are impactful. These include innovations that bring new vector control approaches, including use of new generation insecticidal nets and PBO nets to mitigate the effects of widespread insecticide resistance being observed across Nigeria and other malaria endemic countries as well as step up surveillance for the recently discovered Anopheles stephensi specie of mosquito in Nigeria with its potential for breeding in different settings and transmitting urban malaria and Plasmodium vivax infection which was previously uncommon to West Africa,” he added.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Alex – Okoh, Director Public Health Department, expressed that over the years the ministry has seen some encouraging signs of the progress in some malaria interventions.

However, she added that the recent work is calls for redoubling of efforts by all and especially the private sector, to complement what governments and donor agencies to ensure increased access to malaria interventions by all Nigerians.

In his goodwill messages, the USAID country representatives said fighting malaria is not only the right thing to do, but also a smart investment to protect public health, Security within the thriving material.

He further stated that the USAID is proud to partner with the Nigerian government and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to work together to free Nigeria from malaria.

Also, the country representatives of Melinda Gates Foundation said in line with Roll Back Malaria partnership in order to eradicate malaria depends on both reducing malaria in high-burden areas, that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will continues to work with the government of Nigeria and other partners to contribute to Nigeria’s goal of reducing malaria burden to pre-elimination levels and bring malaria mortality to zero.

“This will be no easy task and will require substantial commitment and funding, first from the government, but also all the partners.”

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