Nigeria alone accounts for over 40 percent of the total malaria deaths globally, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, said on Monday, describing the statistic as “alarming”.
Speaking in Sokoto during events to mark this year’s World Malaria Day, Tambuwal said his administration is aware of the negative consequences of malaria and other neglected tropical diseases on both human and economic growth of the country.
Government will continue to provide free medical care to pregnant mothers and children under the age of five who are vulnerable to malaria and other tropical diseases, he said.
He said drugs worth billions of naira have been distributed to all parts of the state.
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The state government has received donations from the federal government and development partners to tackle the issues, he added.
“The fight against these diseases requires collective efforts. Drugs worth billions of Naira from the inception of the programs were provided through the joint efforts of Federal Ministry of Health, Partners and State Government. Recently, the State Government received a donation of Trachoma drugs worth N3.1 Billion which will be distributed in 12 LGAs of Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Rabah, Bodinga, Binji, Tangaza, Kware, Silame, Wamakko, Illela and Gada,” Tambuwal said.
Isaac Adewole Folorunsho, a professor and minister of health, said the federal government is working towards ensuring that no Nigerian dies from malaria or malaria-related illness from the year 2020.
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He added that the government will also strive to ensure that malaria is completely eradicated from the country by 2025, ahead of the global target of the 2030.
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