President Tinubu Government determined to make Nigeria malaria-free.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria in the country.

It described the life-threatening disease as a critical public health challenge and assured that with focussed strategies. the nation would become a malaria-free nation.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Iziaq Salako stated this while receiving a delegation of the Malaria Consortium led by the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Nnenna Ogbulafor.

Salako explained that the strategy by the government ‘’fosters collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments, enabling better tracking of annual operations and implementation plans at the state level under a unified healthcare policy. ”

Salako, according to a statement by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Alaba Balogun, highlighted government’s progress in tackling the scourge through its Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative.

This strategy fosters collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments, enabling better tracking of annual operations and implementation plans at the state level under a unified healthcare policy,” he said.

He also underscored the role of digital health initiatives in streamlining malaria interventions, describing the strategy as crucial for creating a centralised health data repository.

Commending the consortium for its independent assessment of the government’s interventions, the minister pointed to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) as a key driver in strengthening primary healthcare, including malaria management.

Salako said: “We have the Digital in Health initiative, a nationwide effort to digitalise healthcare at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

The BHCPF covers malaria, and under this administration, its management has been reorganised to ensure more regular fund disbursement.

“I appreciate your feedback from field assessments, and I assure you that Nigeria will continue to value and support the Malaria Consortium in delivering on its mandate,” he said.

He reiterated the ministry’s appreciation for the consortium’s contributions to malaria eradication in Nigeria.

Director of Programmes at Malaria Consortium, Kolawole Maxwell, briefed the minister on the organisation’s research and assessment visits to parts of the country.

Maxwell emphasised the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, particularly in Kano and Osun states, to enhance malaria case management.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to identify incentives and barriers affecting the use of mosquito nets.

The director said: “In the first phase, we are working with stakeholders to understand the factors influencing net usage.

“The second phase involves leveraging these findings to develop tailored solutions.”