Governors’ Forum urges U.S. to sustain financial aid for malaria elimination in Nigeria

The Chairman of Nigerian Governor’s Forum, Abdulaziz Yari on Monday appealed to the U.S. Government to sustain financial to eliminate in Nigeria and Sub Sahara Africa.

Abubakar who is also governor of  Zamfara, made the call in Abuja ahead of the World Malaria Day on  April 25, by the U.S. Embassy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that U.S. Government has invested over 240 million dollars on malaria covering 11 states in Nigeria since 2010 with 75 million dollars in 2016 alone.

Yari appealed for increase the malaria detection rate, and strengthening of mosquito control activities further, particularly in the high prevalence districts.

“I want to appeal to the government of the U.S. not to allow malaria aid to be affected by the proposed cut in its financial aid to other countries.

“I believe that the well being of the citizens of U.S. is tied to the well being of other citizens of the world,” he said.

According to him America as the world economic leader and the leading country in the humanitarian support has a huge task in the fight against malaria.

“On behalf of the 36 governors of the federation and Nigerian Governors’ Forum, I want the Deputy Head of Mission U.S. Embassy to convey our message to the U.S, President Donald Trump.

“He should not only sustain malaria’s aid but other aids that affect the general well being of our people.

“We must appreciate U.S. for taking the lead in the efforts to eliminate malaria in Nigeria and sub Sahara Africa,” he said.

He said that the U.S. had made some remarkable progress in combating malaria disease in Nigeria.

The governor expressed concern that Malaria had resulted in the death of thousands of children and pregnant women every year in Nigeria.

Yari commended the United State for International Development (USAID)for the efforts made in fighting malaria across the federation of the country

“USAID has collaborated with nine states where malaria is prevailing to redouble efforts to fight against the menace

“We thank the USAID and other partners in collaborating with the 36 states governors that led to the drop death of children under age five occasioned by malaria from 42 per cent 2010 to 27 per cent in 2015.

“Ownership of insecticide net in Nigeria which is 69 per cent in 2015 has recorded 70 per cent of household having the net in Nigeria in 2016.

He said that Zamfara State and other governors across the federation would continue to sustain the fight against malaria.

Statistics indicate that annual malaria deaths in Africa have decreased from an estimated 764,000 in 2000 to 395,000 in 2015.

According to a press statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Johannah-Joy Phumaphi, Africa has achieved historic progress in the fight against malaria over the past 15 years.

“Since 2000, malaria mortality rates in Africa have fallen by 66 per cent among all age groups and by 71 per cent among children under five,” noted Phumaphi.

Approximately 663 million cases of malaria have been averted in sub-Saharan Africa over the last 14 years.