Nigerian Govt Proposes N350 Billion To Combat Malaria In 2021
The Nigerian Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has explained that for the country to effectively tackle malaria, the country required more than N350 billion to fight the disease in 2021 alone, worldtopnewsng.com reports.
Ehanire, disclosed this on Friday at a news conference in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“About N352 billion is required for the year 2021 programme implementation,” he told reporters ahead of the World Malaria Day scheduled to hold on Sunday.
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The minister added, “The theme of this year’s commemoration is Zero Malaria – Draw the Line Against Malaria, and the slogan ‘Stand Up, Take Action’ which is to empower communities in various countries to take ownership of preventing malaria and providing proper care and treatment to those in need, are germane.”
He acknowledged that the Nigerian Government does not have the adequate amount required to fight the disease this year.
Ehanire attributed this to the prevailing economic circumstances occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, just as in other countries.
He, therefore, called on the private sector, various corporate organisations, and patriotic individuals to support the government to tackle malaria.
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According to him, the commemoration of World Malaria Day provides the government with the opportunity to share the progress made, best practices, and create awareness on the scourge of malaria.
Malaria, a disease caused by a parasite spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, kills more than 400,000 people a year, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa.
