Defeating Malaria ‘ll cost Nigeria N1.89trn- FG

To stamp out malaria in the country, the sum of N1.89 trillion will be required, the Federal Government has said.

The government also said, about N325 billion was needed for the year 2021 programme implementation on malaria.

To this end, it has appealed to corporate organizations, private sector, as well as spirited bodies to assist it to achieve its target of wiping out the malaria scourge from the country.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, who said in a message he presented to mark the 2021 World Malaria Day, said the amount was specifically needed for implementation of the New Strategic Plan on malaria.

According to him, 63.1 percent of the total amount will be used to support Chemoprevention, Diagnosis and treatment , just as he said 35.9 percent will be used for vector control. The minister, who said the use of insecticide-treated nets among under 5 children increased from 33.4 percent in 2015 to 52 percent in 2018, also said pregnant women increased the use from 49 percent in 2015 to 58 percent in 2018.

He said, “Fever testing of under 5 children increased from 5% in 2010 to 11% in 2013, 13% in 2015 and 14% in 2018, but is still too low.

“These measures resulted in a reduction of malaria prevalence from 42% in 2010 to 27% in 2015 and 23% in 2018.

“We expect that when results of the 2021 Malaria Indicator Survey to be conducted later this year are out, a further downward trend will be seen”.