Taraba: NGO coalition seeks govt support to eliminate Malaria in Nigeria

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A civil society coalition, Association of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) on Friday, called on the government at all levels to provide adequate financial and human support to supplement international support for the elimination of Malaria in Nigeria.

This is part of the resolution at the end of the media meeting on the Global Fund Malaria Community -Led Monitoring project held at the Debass Hotel in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Chairman of the coalition, Alhaji Mohammed Danburam who read the resolution said a separate funding allocation and management of the health sector will help promote continuity, accountability, improve grassroots outreach, intervention and management of Malaria and other related diseases in the country.

This is even as ACOMIN called on the federal and state governments to set up and implement a functional malaria surveillance system to collect data on malaria cases and monitor eradication process.

“Malaria can only be eradicated in Nigeria when the government feels committed to it as a national responsibility.

“Malaria hyper-endemicity is a major public health crisis that requires government’s deliberate and consistent efforts to follow recommended strategies to eliminate and eradicate malaria in Nigeria and save the people from deaths and malaria associated health consequences.

“To combat increasing incidence rate of malaria, urgent actions and collective efforts from the public are necessary. This is why the use of Insecticide Treated Net is crucial as they serve as physical barriers against mosquitoes, reducing risk of infection particularly for vulnerable groups.”

The coalition advocated for communication and education programmes to raise knowledge and awareness and empower communities to embrace any behavior change relevant to achieving success in Malaria, HIV and TB control in Nigeria.