The federal government has selected Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group; Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings; and Femi Otedola, chairman of Geregu Power Plc, to lead the fresh efforts to eliminate malaria in Nigeria through the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC).
The council was established in 2017 and inaugurated by
former President Muhammadu Buhari on August 16, 2022.
Speaking at the inauguration of the team in Abuja, Tunji
Alausa, minister of state for health and social welfare, said the country
currently contributes over a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third
of the over 600,000 malaria deaths worldwide, mostly affecting children and
pregnant women.
The minister described the situation as “sad”, adding that
the disease contributes about 25 percent to 30 percent of childhood mortality
and about 60 percent of hospital attendance.
He said malaria is also a major cause of absenteeism in
schools, markets, and workplaces, as well as a significant out-of-pocket
expense for most households in the country.
The minister said the industry heavyweights would
collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), national assembly joint
health committees and women organisations to drive the fresh efforts.
“It gives me great pleasure to be present in this auspicious
meeting whose major objective is to contribute to a reduction in the malaria burden
and possibly the elimination of malaria in Nigeria, which will ultimately lead
to the improvement in the quality of lives of all Nigerians,” Alausa said.
“It is no longer news that Nigeria contributes more than a
quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of the over 600,000 deaths,
mostly among children and pregnant women.
“It is sad to note that malaria contributes about 25-30
percent childhood mortality and about 60 percent hospital attendance.
“Similarly, malaria is a major cause of absenteeism to
schools, markets and workplaces, as well as a major out of pocket spending for
most households in the country.
“While malaria cases and deaths are shrinking in other
countries, Nigeria has continuously recorded higher number of cases. Bulk of
the support for the interventions are donor-driven, hence inadequate and not
sustainable.
“Aware of the fact
that no country ever eliminated malaria through donor supports, the African
Heads of States launched the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) during the
African Union Summit of 2009 and the Malaria Scorecard was developed in 2011 to
monitor country’s performance and also, to be used as an advocacy tool for
heads of government.”
He said the setting up of the council was to advocate for
malaria to remain high on the national and state agendas through strong
political commitment from leaders at all levels and mobilisation of financial
and in-kind resources from new sources.
“By reason of your positions in Nigeria, your passion
towards health issues, especially malaria, and the interest groups you
represent, your membership to this council is inevitable for the benefit of the
larger society, and especially children and pregnant women who are the most
affected and would remain forever grateful,” the minister added.
As part of the event, the minister handed over the
leadership of the council to Dangote.
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