Unenviable malaria death statistics disturb Nigeria

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, yesterday, lamented that Nigeria alone contributed about 27 per cent of the global malaria deaths in 2021, making it the country with the highest number of cases and fatalities.

The minister noted the disease remains a foremost public health challenge for the government and a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

This is even as Nigeria secures $300 million for malaria intervention in 13 states. Of the amount, $200 million is from the World Bank, while $100 million came from the Islamic Bank.

At an event to mark the 2022 World Malaria Day, yesterday, in Abuja, Ehanire said the government was working to achieve a parasite prevalence of less than 10 per cent and reduce mortality to less than 50 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2025 in line with the National Malaria Strategic Plan.