By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Government has decried the loss of $1.1 billion economic loss from malaria, a health challenge which must be eliminated.
The a coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made this known in Abuja at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, AMEN.
Prof Pate reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminate malaria, adding that the launch of an advisory body is aimed at addressing the related health and economic challenges factors.
He said, ” 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. 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.”
The Minister stated, “malaria is not just a health crisis; it is an economic and developmental emergency.”
” Malaria reduces productivity, increases out-of-pocket health expenditures and, compounds the challenges of poverty. The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP from malaria exceeds $1.1billion, a stark reminder of the economic imperative of elimination.”
Prof. Pate noted that, malaria elimination is a critical component of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, NHSRII, framework for transforming the health sector, in tune with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
The minister who highlighted the importance of traditional and religious leaders to drive grassroots support and influence behaviour change.
He acknowledged the urgent task as reflected in the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021-2025 to amongst others reduce malaria prevalence to below 10%, halve malaria- related mortality by 50 deaths per 1,000 live births.
This advocacy approach, he emphasized, will complement AMEN, in promoting use of insecticide- treated nets, chemoprevention and vaccines, the minister said.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako noted that the body will provide evidence based solutions to reduce the 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 added.
The Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom who represented by Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, Director Public Health Department in the Ministry; stated that the present administration has brought a new life to the effort to eliminate the disease.
AMEN members are drawn in globally renowned experts, led by Prof. Rose Leke charged with the responsibility of advancing evidence based solutions towards elimination of malaria from Nigeria.
