Maternal/Child Health: World Bank Approves $500m Loan To Nigeria

THE World Bank Group has approved the sum of US$500 million to significantly improve maternal, child and nutrition health services for women and children in Nigeria.

The fund, announced by the Group yesterday, is an International Development Association (IDA) credit.

Meanwhile, the U.S. yesterday declared war on malaria drugs counterfeiters in Nigeria and placed a $10,000 reward, about N2 million, for whoever provides useful information that could lead to arrest of perpetrators of illegal distribution of stolen or falsified anti-malaria medications in the country.

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, made the declaration in Abuja as part of year 2015 World Malaria Day and the World Intellectual Property Day.

He stressed that counterfeit malaria drugs worsen malaria burden and suppress the ability of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry to develop, innovate, and create jobs.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to be vigilant in reporting incidents of stolen or counterfeit medicines to relevant authorities.

He said: “Today, on behalf of the US government, I would like to announce the launch of the ‘Make a Difference’ hotline and reward programme. We are offering up to $10,000 – approximately N2 million – to anyone who reports information concerning the illegal distribution of stolen or falsified anti-malaria medication in Nigeria.

“The ‘Make a Difference’ programme will also inform the public about the dangers of using falsified and stolen medications, including how to avoid such medicines. Nigerians can make a difference in their communities by reporting individuals involved in the manufacturing, distribution, or sale of these illicit and dangerous products.

“If you have information on these networks, please call the toll free hotline at 07080601816. Or, you can send an email to MADMalariaHotline@usaid.gov. All information will be kept confidential, but if you want to collect a reward, we will need to know who you are,” he said.

The World Bank’s IDA, established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty and improve poor people’s lives.

IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 77 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. According to the World Bank, since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 112 countries.

Among other things, the funds is expected to be disbursed to the federal and state governments for independently verified improvements in key services such as vaccination coverage among young children, rates of contraceptive use, Vitamin A supplementation, skilled birth attendance, HIV counselling and testing among women attending antenatal care and preventing new malaria infections among children by using insecticide- treated bed nets when they sleep.