The Federal Government has introduced key initiatives aimed at expediting the eradication of malaria in Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, revealed these initiatives during a high-level dialogue on accelerating malaria elimination in Nigeria, held on Friday in Abuja.
The dialogue tagged ‘Rethinking Malaria Elimination,’ was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) to rally stakeholders for the cause.
Pate emphasized the government’s resolute commitment to eliminating malaria in Nigeria, highlighting the adoption of a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach to significantly reduce the disease’s burden and enhance the nation’s health outcomes.
Key highlights of the unveiled initiatives include:
Pate highlighted the collaborative effort between Nigeria and its international development partners in accelerating malaria elimination, emphasizing the significance of community involvement and leadership across various sectors.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized the vital role of collaboration and support from international partners in achieving a malaria-free Nigeria, stressing the importance of reliable data in informed decision-making and effective intervention strategies.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, emphasized the multi-faceted approach required for malaria elimination, involving collaboration across various government sectors such as environment, agriculture, and education.
Alausa highlighted the pivotal role of leveraging data and conducting comprehensive research as essential components in the malaria elimination endeavor.
