The federal government at the weekend moved to reduce the scourge of malaria in Nigeria, with the choice of Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, astute businessman, Femi Otedola, and renowned banker, Tony Elumelu to lead the fresh efforts to eliminate the menace.
Speaking at the inauguration of the team in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the country currently contributes over a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of the over 600,000 malaria deaths worldwide, mostly affecting children and pregnant women.
Describing the situation as ‘sad’, the minister added that the ailment contributes about 25 per cent to 30 per cent of childhood mortality and about 60 per cent of hospital attendance.
According to him, malaria is also a major cause of absenteeism in schools, markets, and workplaces, as well as a significant out-of-pocket expense for most households in the country.
While Dangote serves as the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Otedola is the Chairman of FBN Holdings Plc and Geregu Power Plc, among other business concerns. Elumelu is the Chairman of UBA Group and the founder of Heirs Holdings.
At the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC), which also has John Cardinal Onaiyekan as a member, the minister stated that the industry heavyweights would collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), National Assembly joint Health Committees and women organisations to drive the fresh efforts.
“It gives me great pleasure to be present in this auspicious meeting whose major objective is to contribute to a reduction in the malaria burden and possibly the elimination of malaria in Nigeria, which will ultimately lead to the improvement in the quality of lives of all Nigerians.
“It is no longer news that Nigeria contributes more than a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of the over 600,000 deaths, mostly among children and pregnant women. It is sad to note that malaria contributes about 25-30 per cent childhood mortality and about 60 per cent hospital attendance. Similarly, malaria is a major cause of absenteeism to schools, markets and workplaces, as well as a major out of pocket spending for most households in the country,” Alausa stated.
The minister noted that it was common knowledge that Nigeria which currently has a population of over 200 million has its entire population at risk of malaria, a situation that puts a huge challenge on the government.
He lamented that the implementation of the various interventions such as provision of antimalarial medicines, protective interventions such as chemo-preventive treatments as well as treated nets and insecticides for indoor and outdoor spraying had
