Reps, NMEP advocate increased domestic funding to eliminate malaria
The House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) alongside other stakeholders have called for increased domestic funding and stronger political commitment to eliminate malaria in Nigeria. This was contained in a communiqué jointly issued at the end of a strategic legislative engagement held with members […]
The House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) alongside other stakeholders have called for increased domestic funding and stronger political commitment to eliminate malaria in Nigeria.
This was contained in a communiqué jointly issued at the end of a strategic legislative engagement held with members of the House Committee on ATM, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, development partners, and civil society organisations (CSOs) in Abuja.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on ATM, Hon. Amobi Ogah; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate; NMEP National Coordinator, Dr. Nnenna Ogbulafor; and several members of the House of Representatives.
Nigeria accounts for 26.6 per cent of global malaria cases and 31 per cent of malaria deaths, according to the World Malaria Report 2024.
Despite progress made through coordinated national efforts and donor support, stakeholders warned that inadequate domestic financing, weak health systems, and dwindling international aid threaten the country’s malaria elimination target.
The meeting, which sought to strengthen political will and institutionalise accountability mechanisms, identified the legislative arm of government as a critical player in malaria control through policy formulation, budget appropriation, oversight, and advocacy.
The House Committee on ATM pledged robust support to Nigeria’s malaria control efforts through increased budgetary allocations, policy reforms, and constituency-based interventions.
Members also committed to championing malaria education and prevention programmes across their constituencies, with each legislator pledging at least N50 million for malaria-related projects in the next budget cycle.
Stakeholders at the meeting recommended the creation of a dedicated budget line for malaria in the national health budget, integration of malaria interventions into the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms, including private sector partnerships.
They also resolved to organise a technical stakeholders’ meeting to address resource gaps, develop a framework for sustained engagement between the legislature and malaria stakeholders, and support the passage of a bill to establish a malaria elimination agency.
The stakeholders commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Pate, for his giant strides in the health sector, particularly in the aspects of national malaria control and elimination efforts in the country.
The communiqué emphasised that malaria elimination requires collaboration beyond the health sector, involving ministries of education, agriculture, environment, and water resources, alongside private sector participation and community engagement.
According to the communiqué, stakeholders reaffirmed their collective resolve to achieve a malaria-free Nigeria in line with the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP), stressing that sustained financing, legislative backing, and coordinated action are essential to success.