The Nigerian government has reiterated its stance on being resolute to eliminate malaria.
Revealing that the disease is not just a health crisis, he said it is also an economic and developmental emergency that must be put out.
“Malaria continues to exert an unacceptable toll on Nigeria With 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths, our country bears the heaviest burden of this disease, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate said at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria ( AMEN), in Abuja.
The launch of an advisory body is a bold and decisive step to confront and address a wicked problem that has undermined the health and economic growth of the country, according to the Minister, contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations of the Ministry, Alaba Balogun, on Tuesday.
Pate said 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.
He stated that the economic consequences of malaria include reduction in productivity, increase in out-of-pocket health expenditures and, compounds the challenges of poverty.
He further that the annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP from malaria exceeds $1.1billion, a stark reminder of the economic imperative of elimination.
Adding that malaria elimination is a critical component of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) framework for transforming the health sector, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present government, Prof. Pate acknowledged the urgency of the task as reflected in the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021-2025. It includes reduction of malaria prevalence to below 10% and halve malaria- related mortality by 50 deaths per 1,000 live birth.
The Coordinating Minister also highlighted the importance of traditional and religious leaders to drive grassroots support and influence behaviour change.
He said this will complement AMEN, in promoting use of insecticide- treated nets, chemoprevention and vaccines.
The Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako added that the Advisory body as a group of experts will provide evidence based advisory to help the country in not only reducing its unacceptable malaria burden but, “set us on a realistic path to a malaria free Nigeria”.
For us to succeed, private sector, international partners, healthcare workers and, the communities we serve must be harnessed and coordinated”, Dr. Salako said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom mni; represented by Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, Director Public Health Department in the Ministry; stated that the renewed commitment by the present administration has brought a new life to the effort to eliminate the disease.
It is pertinent to state that the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) is made up of globally renowned experts under the leadership of Prof. Rose Leke; charged with refocusing on advancing evidence-based solutions that address current challenges, ensuring that malaria elimination is prioritised in the budgets and plans of all levels of government and creating frameworks for accountability that ensures sustained progress.