By Ojoma Akor
The federal ministry of health and other stakeholders have called for increased domestic investments against malaria in Nigeria and across the continent.
They made the call in Abuja during the Big Push Against Malaria meeting themed: “Harnessing Africa’s central role for the big push against malaria.”
It was hosted by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), and with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The Nigerian Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate said there was need for collective efforts towards addressing the burden of malaria in Africa.
He said with the high burden of the disease, malaria is not just a peripheral disease but very central to the health and wellbeing of our communities, and of our people.
While saying that countries in Africa cannot continue in the same direction he said, ” As Africans I think we should leave the idea that it is someone else’s problem. Malaria is our problem, and if we own that problem, then we have to first do what we need to do.”
Prof. Pate said over the last years there have been an upsurge in external financing, and commensurate decline in domestic financing. He said, “I think that it is a very tough thing to say that while we have tremendous appreciation for the billions of dollars spent by actors like the Global Fund, Gates Foundation, and all the resources and bilateral support that have come because it is from taxpayers and the generosity of many countries’ tax payers.
He said, “But as countries, have we internalized that this is our problem fundamentally? And what have we decided to do about that? Unless we cross that and apply ourselves, I don’t think in the current context we can expect that things will change. Nigeria hosted the effort to rethink malaria elimination last year.”
He added that it is was important for Nigeria to think about how to domesticate efforts in terms of Nigeria’s political, social, and economic context and governance.
“And how do we drive it still with some external financing, but how do we also drive domestic financing? I have to admit that we are still struggling. We haven’t figured it all out. But at least we have made the first step. How do we customize our efforts in the context of our diverse geographies?”
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako said despite the efforts of many decades, the latest estimates reveal a staggering 263 million cases of malaria and 597,000 deaths recorded in 2023 alone, with Africa bearing 94% of cases and 95% of deaths.
He said these alarming figures underscore the urgent need for accelerated action.
“While progress has certainly been made in the fight against malaria, it is clear that our current trajectory is not enough to meet our goal of ending malaria on the continent by 2030. To truly defeat this disease, we must rethink, join our forces together and mount a concerted effort, giving a “big push” to overcome the many challenges that stand in our way. We must reach all at risk populations with essential prevention, diagnosis and treatment services,” he stated.
He stated that one significant obstacle is the rise of insecticide resistance in certain areas, adding, ” Insecticides are essential in malaria control, but mosquitoes are increasingly developing resistance to commonly used chemicals, making population control more difficult and causing a resurgence of malaria in previously contained regions. It is critical to develop new, more effective approaches to combat and prevent the spread of resistance.”
He added that countries that have eliminated the disease must persevere, adapt, and accelerate their efforts to outpace malaria’s relentless progress and prevent re-establishment.
He said,” Those of us still battling the scourge must diligently operationalize existing strategies and implement new actions. Our efforts will require robust government commitment, innovative thinking, and sufficient resources. The renewed determination embodied by the “big push” initiative should revitalize our mission to end malaria and result in rejuvenated efforts across the continent including Nigeria. Such efforts like the Advisory for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), The Malaria Elimination Task Force, introduction of malaria vaccine, the test and treat strategy and other key efforts signifies a renewed momentum in Nigeria for a malaria free future.”
Dr Kokou Alinon Africa CDC’s Regional Director for the Western Africa Regional Coordinating Centre said the organization was working with member states to end malaria by 2030 including pushing for the malaria vaccine.
He added that the Africa CDC has integrated malaria into primary healthcare systems across member states.
He applauded Nigeria for plans to produce mosquito bed nets, adding that Africa was still depending on other continents in terms of local manufacturing of commodities
He said, “We have a vaccine trial that is ongoing, but also local manufacturing is very important. And we are pushing hard on vaccine trials. Local manufacturing, like Nigeria’s plan to produce mosquito bed nets is crucial, we cannot keep depending on other continents.”
Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the country could not continue to depend on foreign funding.
She said that does not mean that they will not be contributing, because the world is a global village. She added that the Nigeria was galvanizing efforts and solidifying new innovations and interventions including local production of commodities.
Dr Michael Adekunle Charles, chief executive officer RBM Partnership to End malaria, said, “we need a big push against malaria and against the mosquito that has outsmarted us for many years. We need to come together. What is this big push? It is really a big push to do things differently. So the first thing is that we have consulted and listened to countries to ensure that they are really at the center of the fight against malaria. It is about alignment. It is about coordination. It is about the global partners coming together in the fight against malaria.”
Amobi Godwin Ogah Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Leprosy and Malaria Control (ATM) said the commitee is ready to take the lead by providing legislative mechanism and interventions to support the fight against malaria in Nigeria.
He said future consideration for innovative solutions and domestic resources mobilization should take into account the ATM diseases.
