The United Kingdom has pledged one billion pounds to the global fund in a concerted effort to combat malaria and other diseases in Nigeria.
Dr Ebere Anyachukwu, the Health Adviser at the British High Commission (BHC), revealed this initiative during an interview in Abuja, coinciding with World Malaria Day.
Dr Anyachukwu underscored that the UK government’s contribution was directed towards a global fund aimed at mobilizing resources for countries grappling with various diseases.
”This financial injection supplements funds from other donors managed by the global fund to address malaria and related ailments in Nigeria.
”The allocated funds are crucial in financing essential resources such as insecticides, treated bed nets, diagnostic testing for malaria, and chemoprevention,” she stated.
Dr Anyachukwu emphasized the vital role of chemoprevention in states where malaria is seasonal, preventing children from succumbing to the disease during peak transmission periods.
The support from the global fund has significantly reduced sickness and mortality rates among children, according to Dr Anyachukwu.
”The UK’s substantial contribution to the global fund is currently benefiting 13 Nigerian states, including Adamawa, Delta, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Yobe, and Taraba,” she added.
Highlighting the impact of global funding, Dr Anyachukwu cited statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), revealing a notable decline in malaria-related deaths in Nigeria.
”Despite population growth, the country witnessed a decrease from an estimated 221,000 deaths in 2008 to approximately 189,000 deaths by 2022.
“The interventions funded by the global fund have saved numerous lives over the years, granting people access to vital healthcare facilities,” Dr Anyachukwu affirmed.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Kiota, a cell and molecular biologist at the University of Bamako, Mali, has called on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to eradicate malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He made the plea during a public lecture commemorating the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt.
Kiota stressed the importance of strong political commitment and collaboration among regional governments to combat the scourge of malaria.