President, Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, said eradicating malaria and its effects would save Nigeria estimated economic burden of the disease totalling about N687bn in 2022 and N2trn by 2030.
Buhari made the disclosure at the State House, Abuja, shortly after inaugurating Nigeria End Malaria Council (EMCs)in line with the African Union Assembly Declaration for Establishment of EMCs continent-wide.
In a bid to eradicate malaria in Nigeria, the President appointed Aliko Dangote, as Chairman of the 16-member council, saying the successful implementation of the council’s agenda would save N2trn in the next eight years.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Nigeria will save N2trn from malaria elimination, Buhari declares, appoints Dangote Chairman of 16-member council to eradicate disease.’
The President noted that tackling malaria has both public health and socio-economic benefits for the country.
According to Femi Adesina, the EMC will provide a platform to advocate for more fund to protect and sustain progress made so far by our country, and put us on a pathway to end malaria for good.”
Buhari, who lamented that Nigeria alone accounts for 27 per cent of all cases of malaria and 32 per cent of deaths globally (according to the World Health Organisation in 2021), said, “Malaria infection can cause severe disease and complication in pregnant women, and lead to high rates of miscarriage.
“It is also responsible for a considerable proportion of deaths in infants and young children, with children under 5 years being the most vulnerable group. These are reasons we must not relent in fighting malaria.”
Justifying why he appointed Dangote, the President explained that he chose Dangote to chair the council in recognition of his track record and passion for supporting initiatives on various health issues such as polio and strengthening primary health care system.
In his acceptance speech, Dangote thanked the President and all members of the council for entrusting him with the enormous responsibility, he pledged to work hard to achieve the mandate.
Members of EMC are : Permanent Secretary, VP office on Political and Economic Affairs, Shehu Ibrahim, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, Chairman, House Committee on Aids, TB and Malaria, Hon.Abubakar Dahiru, Minister of Health, Dr.Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health, Hon.Joseph Ekumankama Nkama, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mahmuda Mamman.
Others are, Board of Directors, UBA,Tony Elumelu , Rose of Sharon Group, Folorunsho Alakija, CEO, Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Fort Oil, Femi Otedola, President, National Council of women Societies, Hajiya Lam Lau, Achbishop John Cardinal Onaiyekan,(FOWAN) Federation of Muslim women Nigeria, Alhaja Rafiyat Sanni and NEMC Secretariat /National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr Perpetual Uhomoibhi.