News
FG Unveils New Drug To Combat Malaria …Targets 2020 For Eradication
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (right), chatting with former Deputy Governor of the state, Engr Tele Ikuru, during the latter’s 50th birthday celebration in Port Harcourt, recently
The Federal Government, yesterday, renewed its resolve to eliminate malaria in the country by the year 2020.
The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr Nnenna Ezeigwe, said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Ezeigwe said all hands must be on deck to achieve a malaria free country by the targeted year through the Test, Treat and Track (TTT) policy.
She explained that the malaria policy states that every suspected malaria case must be tested and confirmed before treatment can be administered on patients.
According to her, the TTT policy has been in force for many years in the country with little or no compliance.
“But we discovered that it has not been complied with. After looking carefully at the problem, we discovered that over 60 per cent of the Nigerian population go to the pharmacists and patent medicine dealers for treatment of malaria and other ailments.
“This is why we decided to work in collaboration with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and we are working together with the Lagos State Government, Association of Patent Medicine Vendors to make sure that it is achieved.
“We have discussed with PCN and we agreed that pharmacists and patent medicine vendors can test for malaria after been properly trained.
“But if we discover that PPMV continues to treat without testing and there is evidence for it, then such persons will not be registered.
“This is part of the agreement we have with the PCN that it should be part of their registration criteria, they will be properly trained and then implement it this is what we expect,‘’ she said.
Ezeigwe said that since 2009 chloroquine has not been the drug of choice after several studies.
“It was beneficial at some point but then at some point resistance sets in, the parasite we were fighting developed resistant to the drug (chloroquine) and then it became useless as a malaria drug.
“So, the current treatment that has been proven to be very effective is the Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) and we are also monitoring the ACT to check if there is any resistant at any point.
“But for now we are comfortable to say that ACT is still very efficacious in this country.
Ezeigwe said that chloroquine has been banned for the treatment of malaria and that it should not be bought or sold at the counter in any pharmacy or shop.
She said that the disease that they claim that chloroquine was been used for has to be diagnosed by a qualified medical doctor.
She also said that the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) training that was being conducted for health workers was mostly negative and that makes her happy.
“It shows the effectiveness of the RDTs because they are able to dictate positive and negative cases of malaria.
“If the RDT reads negative then it is negative, because the RDT is 100 per cent effective.
“It is only when it starts coming out positive, that you can begin to get worried and you can start doubting if the positivity was correct, so it is good news.’’
However, the coordinator pointed out that some lab technicians in Nigeria lack the skills to see and dictate result correctly.
“As soon as they see that fever was the case of a patient they just conclude that it is malaria without seeing anything through the micro-scope.
“When you look under the micro-scope, you will see a lot of things like the white and red blood cells you will see the parasite plasmodium.
“You will also see what we call artefact which can be like air bubble.
“So, when they don’t see anything and do not know what to attribute the sickness to, they just write malaria which is the easiest and most common thing for anyone to believe.’’
She said that the RDT was accurate and urged people to have confidence in it because it was 100 per cent tested and confirmed.
Ezeigwe noted that if the RDT reads positive the patient would be treated with the right drug, which is the ACT, and then get okay.
She added that the test was necessary before treatment because if the drugs continue to be taken without malaria being positive in the body, it would start developing resistance.
“And that will take us back to the case of chloroquine, and that is what we are trying to avoid.
“And if the parasite becomes resistant to the drugs then we would not have drug to treat it with and it will be increasing.
“And if it is increasing we would not make any progress towards elimination so it is going to aid it by making sure that the ACTs remain efficacious.
“The Global fund is supporting the private sector mechanism and they have subsidised the cost of anti-malaria when you request for ACT with the green leaf, it is been sold at a very cheap rate for about N200 or N150 per pack.
“So, for those thinking that it would be expensive I am here to say that they are very cheap and affordable.
“I advise the pharmacists and PPMVs that any patient that walks into the pharmacy and refuses to get tested before requesting for treatment should not be attended to.
“The person can stay home with his/her fever because by the time they try as many shops as possible they will decide on what is best for them.
“The pharmacists should know that this will bring them more customers because when your patients know that when they come to you, you will run the test on them before treatment they will tend to have more trust in your shop.
“The goal standard in any healthcare is that you must test before you treat and malaria has been neglected for a while and has killed so many people ignorantly that is why we are doing this to save Nigerians.
“We are covering 10 states in Nigeria in this particular exercise and Lagos is just one of them.
“The country is very large and we have about 24 states to cover, we are been supported by the Global Fund and they are supporting the 24 states,’’ said the coordinator.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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