President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated a 16-member Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC), with business magnate Aliko Dangote, as the chairman.

Mr Buhari said the successful implementation of the council’s agenda and savings from the estimated economic burden of the disease would save Nigeria about N687 billion in 2022 and N2 trillion by 2030.

The president said beyond improving the quality of life, health and well-being of Nigerians, the concerted strategy to tackle malaria had both public health and socio-economic benefits for Nigeria.

While expressing concern that the age-long disease had remained a major public health challenge in Nigeria, he cited the World Health Organisation (WHO) report of 2021 on malaria.

According to the report, Nigeria alone accounts for 27 per cent of all cases of malaria and 32 per cent of deaths globally.

The president explained that Mr Dangote was chosen in recognition of his track record and passion for supporting initiatives on various health issues.

He added that the membership of the council reflected the government’s commitment to reduce the malaria burden in Nigeria significantly.

‘‘I have been informed that the End Malaria Council (EMC) has already been established in other African countries, in line with the African Union Assembly Declaration for Establishment of EMC’s in Africa.

‘‘EMCs have provided leadership, new funding and innovation to enable these countries stay on track to meet malaria burden reduction targets.

“I am optimistic that the setting up of the NEMC will do the same for Nigeria,’’ he said.

He thanked the chairman of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, the executive secretary of ALMA, RBM Partnership in Nigeria for their continuous support to the Federal Ministry of Health and the malaria programme in particular.

He acknowledged the contributions of the Global Fund, the United States Agency for International Development and the President’s Malaria Initiative.

Mr Buhari lauded the efforts of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, UNICEF, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, other implementing partners, and the private sector toward eradicating the disease. 

In separate remarks, the Ministers of Health, Osagie Ehanire, and the Minister of State for Health, Joseph Nkama, said since 2010, Nigeria had recorded a continuous decline in malaria from 42 per cent in 2010, 27 per cent in 2015 to 23 per cent in 2018.

They attributed the decline to the thorough implementation of the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP).

They said the funding gap had impacted the implementation of the malaria programmes in Nigeria, adding that the country needs N1.89 trillion to reduce malaria prevalence and mortality by 2025.

In his remarks, Mr Dangote thanked the president and all council members for entrusting him with the enormous responsibility, pledging to work hard to achieve the mandate.

The council members are Shehu Ibrahim, permanent secretary, Office of the Vice President on Political and Economic Affairs, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Also, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Abubakar Dahiru, chairman, House Committee on AIDS, TB and Malaria, Ehanire, Ekumankama, Mahmuda Mamman, permanent secretary, Federal Minister of Health are members of the council.

Others include Tony Elumelu, chairman, Board of Directors, UBA, Folurunsho Alakija, CEO, Rose of Sharon Group, Herbert Wigwe (CEO), Access Bank, Femi Otedola, CEO Forte Oil and Hajiya Lami Lau, president, National Council of Women Societies.

John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Emertius Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Rafiyat Sanni, National Amira, Federation of Muslim Women Nigeria (FOWAN) and Perpetua Uhomoibhi, NEMC Secretariat/National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) are also members of the council. 

(NAN)