Victoria Mbangwa
Nigeria has taken a bold step towards eliminating one of its most persistent health and economic challenges Malaria which costs the country over $1.1 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses.
The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, during the inaugural meeting of the newly established Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Abuja.
The health minister warned that malaria continues to take a devastating toll on Nigeria, with the country responsible for 27% of the world’s malaria cases and 31% of global malaria-related deaths. In 2022 alone, over 180,000 children under five years old lost their lives to the disease, underscoring the urgent need for action.
He said, “Malaria continues to exert an unacceptable toll on Nigeria With 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 31 per cent 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.
“This is not just a health crisis; it is an economic and developmental emergency. Malaria reduces productivity, increases out-of-pocket health expenditures and, compounds the challenges of poverty. The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP from malaria exceeds $ 1.1 billion, a stark reminder of the economic imperative of elimination.”
In a concerted effort to combat this challenge, the Nigerian government has unveiled an advisory body composed of internationally recognized experts, led by Prof. Rose Leke, who will provide evidence-based guidance to help reduce the country’s malaria burden. The advisory group aims to prioritize malaria elimination at the national, state, and local government levels and ensure adequate funding and accountability in tackling the disease.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, reiterated the importance of collaboration in addressing malaria.
He said, “For us to succeed, the private sector, the international partners, the healthcare workers and, the communities we serve must be harnessed and coordinated.”
