The Federal Government has launched an initiative to eliminate malaria, declaring it not just a health crisis but an economic and developmental emergency that demands immediate and comprehensive action.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare, unveiled the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) during an inaugural meeting in Abuja, highlighting the devastating impact of the disease on the nation.
“Malaria continues to exert an unacceptable toll on Nigeria,” Prof. Pate stated. “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 economic implications are equally stark. “The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP from malaria exceeds $1.1 billion, a stark reminder of the economic imperative of elimination,” Prof. Pate emphasized.
He described malaria as a crisis that “reduces productivity, increases out-of-pocket health expenditures and compounds the challenges of poverty.”
The newly formed AMEN is composed of globally renowned experts under the leadership of Prof. Rose Leke.
Their mandate includes refocusing on evidence-based solutions, ensuring malaria elimination is prioritized in government budgets, and creating accountability frameworks.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, underscored the collaborative approach needed.
“For us to succeed, the private sector, international partners, healthcare workers, and the communities we serve must be harnessed and coordinated,” he said.
The Explainer learned, the initiative aligns with the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021-2025, which aims to: educe malaria prevalence to below 10 percent, halve malaria-related mortality to 50 deaths per 1,000 live births
Prof. Pate highlighted the critical role of traditional and religious leaders in driving grassroots support and influencing behavior change. The strategy will promote interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, chemoprevention, and vaccines.
The Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, noted that the current administration’s renewed commitment has breathed new life into malaria elimination efforts.
