From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Federal Government, said on Tuesday, that malaria has caused huge financial lost on Nigerian economy, stating that, at least, $1.1billion, is lost to malaria annually.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the disclosure at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), in Abuja.
He said that malaria has continued to exert an unacceptable toll on Nigeria with 27 per cent of global malaria cases, and 31 per cent of global malaria deaths. “Nigeria bears the heaviest burden of this disease. In 2022, over 180,000 Nigerian children under the age of five lost their lives to malaria, a tragedy we have the tools to prevent”.
Nevertheless, the Minister assured that the Federal Government is resolute in its commitment to eliminate malaria, stressing that the launch of an advisory body was a bold and decisive step to confront, and address the challenge that has undermined the health and economic growth of the country.
He further stated that malaria elimination is a critical component of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) framework for transforming the health sector, hence the call on stakeholders particularly the traditional and religious leaders to drive grassroots support and influence behaviour change.
The Minister further emphasized that the advocacy approach will complement AMEN in promoting effective and efficient use of insecticide- treated nets, chemoprevention and vaccines in the fight against malaria.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, the Director Public Health Department in the Ministry, stated that the renewed commitment by the government has brought a new life to the effort to eliminate the disease.
She said that AMEN is made up of globally renowned experts under the leadership of Prof. Rose Leke, charged with advancing evidence-based solutions that address identified challenges in combating malaria, ensuring that malaria elimination is prioritized in the budgets and plans of all levels of government and, creating frameworks for accountability that ensure sustained progress.
