The Federal Government at the weekend moved to reduce the scourge of malaria.
It named Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, astute businessman Femi Otedola and renowned banker Tony Elumelu to lead the fresh efforts to end the menace.
Speaking at the inauguration of the team in Abuja, Minister of State for Health/Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the country currently accounts for over a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of the over 600,000 malaria deaths worldwide.
The minister identified children and expectant mothers as the worst-hit.
Describing the situations as ‘sad’, the minister added that the ailment contributes about 25 per cent to 30 per cent of childhood mortality and about 60 per cent of hospital attendance.
According to him, 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.
Dangote is the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Otedola is Chairman FBN Holdings Plc, Chairman, Geregu Power Plc and several other business concerns and Elumelu is the Chairman of UBA Group, founder of Heirs Holdings and also chairs Trancorp Group.
At the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC), which also has John Cardinal Onaiyekan as member, the minister stated that the industry heavyweights would collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), National Assembly joint Health Committees and women organisations to drive the fresh efforts.
Alausa said: “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.
“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 per cent childhood mortality and about 60 per cent 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.”
