FG to make malaria elimination national priority

The federal government has pledged to commit $300 million (N108 billion) to eliminate malaria in the country.

A statement issued by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) on the just concluded Commonwealth meeting in London said the government promised to secure the fund from the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank

NAN reports that the federal government also promised to elevate malaria on the national priority list and finance its national malaria elimination strategy.

The statement quoted the government as also pledging an additional US$18.7 million to distribute 15 million mosquito nets and to support the local manufacture of essential malaria commodities.

It said the 53 Commonwealth leaders also committed to halve malaria across the Commonwealth nations within the next five years, with the potential to prevent 350 million malaria cases and save 650,000 lives.

It also said with 90 percent of global malaria cases and deaths occurring in African, the impact of this renewed focus to eliminate malaria will be felt across the continent.

ALMA said eleven other African countries in the Commonwealth announced their new commitment to eliminate malaria.

The countries, according to the statement, include Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, United Republic of Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia.

The statement added that ALMA also committed to the African Union’s (AU) catalytic framework to end AIDS, TB and Malaria by 2030.

It said AU will continue its work with Heads of State and Government in Africa to monitor progress towards this goal.

“Additional commitments from the international community includes the UK government’s commitment to spend £500 million a year through 2020-2021 and an extra £100 million commitment to the Global Fund,” it added.

“The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also announced an additional US$1 billion through 2023 to fund research and development to reduce the burden of malaria.

“In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged £50 million in matching funds against the UK government’s additional £100 commitment to the Global Fund.”