The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Enwinstle, on Tuesday noted that Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Programme annually costs her about N132 billion ($660 million).
Entwistle, who made this known in his message to mark this year’s World Malaria Day, said 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.”
Entwistle said: “In Nigeria, the National Malaria Elimination Programme estimates malaria costs the Nigerian economy about N132 billion ($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.”
According to Entwistle, Nigeria has in the last 15 years made historic progress in turning the tide against malaria. He said Nigeria’s aggressive programme, since 2011, had reduced children’s mortality, leading to a decline by 15 per cent.
The Ambassador said his government was providing Nigerian communities and families with a mix of tools to fight malaria, under its President’s Malaria Initiative. 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 his government was supporting Nigeria in the training of medical personnel and community health workers, to care for people with malaria.
He said: “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.
