ANAMBRA State Government has assured of its willingness to support the initiative of the Federal Government toward malaria eradication in the country.

Governor Willie Obiano said this during a meeting with joint team of Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, African Development Bank and World Health Organisation on Programmed Development Mission on Malaria elimination.

The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Nkem Okeke said the 50 Million dollars malaria elimination programme was a 5-year project aimed at promoting behavioural change.

Describing malaria as common disease of 3rd World countries especially areas around the tropical rain forests, Obiano said his administration would be ready to fight and eradicate malaria from the state.

“I assure you that the state is willing to support and partner in your programme.

“I am inviting other supporting agencies to the state, as health requires lots of funding,’’ he said.

Earlier, Audu Ballam Mohammed, national coordinator of Malaria Elimination Programme,  noted that 60 per cent of the national health facilities had been channelled to the fight against malaria.

Ballam said that eradicating malaria would help to improve the economy of the country and also the wellbeing of the people.

“Most developed western countries and some of the African countries do not suffer malaria, as Nigeria can still be among those countries with zero malaria.

“Nigeria is targeted to achieve total malaria elimination by the year 2020,’’ he explained.

The coordinator while thanking Gov. Obiano noted that Anambra State Government had earlier indicated its interest to partner in the programme.

Also, the team leader African Development Bank, Mr Gregory Osunbor, who stressed the need for malaria to be tackled, added that “malaria has been a hindrance to economic development and health of the nation’’.

Osunbor noted that the ADB was going to co-finance the programme with World Bank, in which ADB would support the project for two states; Anambra and Rivers States.

He, however, requested the state government’s assistance to support the management team in meeting their needs.

Anambra Commissioner for Health, Joe Akabuike who was represented by his Permanent Secretary, John Ndibe, thanked the government for providing the Ministry with health partners on malaria.

He affirmed that the team would ensure that the capacity of the state would be enhanced.

– Jul. 17, 2018 @ 19:09 GMT |