FG Appoints Dangote, Otedola, and Elumelu to Lead Malaria Fight

The Federal Government has appointed Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, and Tony Elumelu to lead a renewed effort to combat malaria in Nigeria. This decision highlights the urgency of addressing a disease that continues to devastate the country, contributing to over a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of the 600,000 malaria-related deaths worldwide, with children and pregnant women being the most affected.

The appointment was announced by Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, during the inauguration of the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC) in Abuja. The council is tasked with driving the fight against malaria in collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly’s health committees, and various women’s organizations, ensuring that the battle against malaria remains a top priority on both national and state agendas.

Malaria remains a significant burden in Nigeria, contributing to 25% to 30% of childhood mortality and accounting for 60% of hospital visits. The disease also imposes a heavy economic toll, leading to high absenteeism in schools, markets, and workplaces, and placing a significant financial burden on households. With a population exceeding 200 million, the entire country is at risk of contracting malaria, which poses a massive challenge to the healthcare system.

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Despite efforts to control the disease, including the distribution of antimalarial drugs, treated mosquito nets, and insecticides, these measures have not been sufficient to meet the needs of the population. The bulk of the funding for these interventions comes from donors, which the government acknowledges is neither sustainable nor adequate.

Dr. Alausa stressed the need for a comprehensive and sustained response to malaria, pointing out that while other countries have made significant progress in reducing malaria cases and deaths, Nigeria’s numbers continue to rise. He highlighted the importance of the Nigeria End Malaria Council in securing political commitment and mobilizing resources from both the public and private sectors.

Aliko Dangote, who has previously served as Nigeria’s Malaria Ambassador and is a member of the Global End Malaria Council, has been appointed to lead the NEMC. During the inaugural meeting, Dangote called on council members to use their collective influence across various sectors to tackle malaria effectively. He emphasized the need to maintain malaria elimination as a priority and to secure sufficient funding at both national and state levels.

The council members, including Femi Otedola and Tony Elumelu, are expected to mobilize the necessary resources to ensure that Nigeria can significantly reduce its malaria burden. Their leadership and commitment, along with the efforts of the NEMC, are seen as crucial steps in finally eliminating malaria in Nigeria and improving the quality of life for millions of its citizens.

Source: Vanguard News

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