Lagos – The United States Ambassador to
Nigeria, Mr James Enwinstle, on Tuesday noted that Nigeria’s National
Malaria Elimination Programme annually costs her about N132billion
($660million) annually.
Entwistle, who made this known in his message to mark this year’s
World Malaria Day, said that despite Nigeria’s current ‘’tremendous
progress’’ in malaria elimination, much commitment was still needed.
He spoke on the theme “Ending Malaria in Nigeria for Good’’,
‘’In Nigeria, the National Malaria Elimination Programme estimates
malaria costs the Nigerian economy about 132 billion naira ($660 million)
annually.
“Despite Nigeria’s tremendous progress, we must remain committed to
our fight against malaria.
“More than 430,000 people around the world still die each year from
this preventable and treatable illness.
“Ninety per cent of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
The vast majority are children under five, as malaria kills one of our
children every two minutes,’’ he said.
According to him, Nigeria has in the last 15 years made historic
progress in turning the tide against malaria.
He said that Nigeria’s aggressive programme, since 2011, had reduced
children’s mortality, leading to a decline by 15 per cent.
The Ambassador said that his government was providing Nigerian
communities and families with a mix of tools to fight malaria, under
its President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).
He listed such tools to include long-lasting insecticide-treated
mosquito nets, indoor insecticide spraying campaigns, drug therapies
to treat infections, prevention and treatment of malaria in pregnancy, and
community education campaigns.
Entwistle also said that his government was supporting Nigeria in the
training of medical personnel and community health workers, to care
for people with malaria.
“In Nigeria, the PMI works with national partners such as the Ministry of
Health and the National Malaria Elimination Programme.
“The PMI also works with the UK Department for International
Development, the World Health Organization, and the Global Fund in
providing insecticide-treated nets for all individuals living in
malaria-endemic areas.
“This year alone, the PMI will provide 8.7 million nets to families in
Nigeria,’’ he added. (NAN)
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