A’Ibom, Two Others Get N225m Malaria Grants

Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Gombe States  will benefit from the $1. 5million (N225 million malaria grants from Japan, partnering with the World Bank in the fight against malaria.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Dele Oladokun, the bank’s Communication Assistant, in Abuja.

 According to the statement, the grant would help the states to complement activities carried out under the World Bank –assisted Malaria Control Booster Project (MCBP).

The funding is provided through the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), designed to provide grants geared towards alleviating  poverty.

 “JSDF financing will support Community-Directed Interventions (CDI) and Patent Medicine Vendor (PMV) interventions carried out as part of the MCBP Community Systems Strengthening component.

“ These interventions are designed to support the existing public health system to achieve Nigeria’s malaria control targets,’’ it said.

The statement noted that Nigeria was committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and reversing the incidence of malaria and other major diseases by 2015.

In the attempt to achieve this target, it advised Nigerian government to adopt a policy of universal coverage of key malaria prevention and treatment. 

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria accounts for nearly 25 per cent of global malaria –related morbidity and mortality.

The disease remains a major public health concern and the country loses over N132 billion in terms of treatment and man-hour loss owing to absenteeism from work, schools and farm.