Senate okays agency for malaria elimination

The Senate on Tuesday passed for a third reading the bill seeking the establishment of the National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria and other related matters. This comes as the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), assured Nigerians that the intent of the bill was achievable and would make Nigeria the […]

The Senate on Tuesday passed for a third reading the bill seeking the establishment of the National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria and other related matters.

This comes as the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), assured Nigerians that the intent of the bill was achievable and would make Nigeria the first country in Africa to be malaria-free.

The passage of the bill followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West).

In its report, the committee explained to the Senate that the proposed agency, when established, will be responsible for coordinating all national efforts toward the prevention, control and eventual elimination of malaria.

It specifically stated: “The agency, when established, will help shift the country’s approach from curative to preventive or elimination.”

The committee added that for the nationwide operation of the proposed agency, zonal and state offices shall be established. These offices will be driven by a strategic plan backed by law, science, and accountability.

In his remarks after the passage of the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the legislation as a landmark achievement in the war against malaria, noting that it remains the most common ailment in this part of the world.