NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
NMA commends Wike’s efforts at ending malaria in FCT
Health

NMA commends Wike’s efforts at ending malaria in FCT

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By Philip Yatai

Abuja, April 25, 2025 (NAN) The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for standing strong in the fight against malaria.

Dr Emeka Ayogu, Chairman FCT chapter of the association gave the commendation in Abuja on Friday, on the sidelines of an event organised to commemorate the 2025 World Malaria Day.

The event was organised by the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, to offer free malaria testing, treatment, sensitises residents to ways to prevent malaria and how to access free malaria services.

Ayogu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration was doing very well in its efforts to end malaria in FCT, through its free malaria testing, prevention and treatment services.

According to him, the health services and environment secretariat is particularly doing exceptionally well in tackling malaria at households and community level.

“I commend FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe for standing very strong in the fight against malaria.

“They are doing very well to see how we can tackle malaria at households and community levesl across the FCT.

“The FCTA’s initiative to reinvest in its healthcare systems, reimagine how it fights malaria, and reignite its energy and unwavering commitment to end malaria is particularly encouraging.”

The NMA chairman said that the FCTA’s efforts emphasised the importance of eradicating malaria.

He added that the FCT Malaria Elimination Programme and the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in the territory, were not only creating awareness, but mobilising resources.

Earlier, Fasawe explained that the FCTA was scaling up interventions against malaria and strengthening its monitoring systems.

She added that the secretariat was also collaborating with partners at local, national, and international levels to stem the scourge of malaria in FCT.

She implored residents to take advantage of the free malaria testing services and make good use of the insecticide-treated nets provided.

Also, the Permanent Secretary in the secretariat, Dr Babagana Adam, explained that April 25 of every year was set aside to raise awareness about malaria prevention, testing and treatment.

“Our gathering today shows our commitment to taking action and strengthening the efforts of the FCTA to fight this preventable and treatable disease.

“We recently began a valuable partnership with FAMKLIS to ensure antimalarial drugs are available free of charge in our health facilities.

“Today, we are continuing that effort; everyone here will be able to get tested and receive a free insecticide-treated net,” Adam said. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

NGO distributes treated nets to mark malaria day in Abuja
Health

NGO distributes treated nets to mark malaria day in Abuja

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By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Skilled Women Initiative (TSWINI), an NGO, has distributed treated mosquito nets to 50 families in the Guzape community, Federal Capital Territory, in commemoration of the 2025 World Malaria Day.

Speaking during the outreach on Friday in Abuja, TSWINI Programme Officer, Angela Okafor, said the initiative aimed to educate the community on mental health and general wellness.

Okafor noted that the focus was primarily on women, recognising them as the backbone of the family, caring for children, husbands, and neighbours and emphasised the importance of keeping women healthy and empowered.

She explained that the organisation was committed to raising awareness, promoting health education and mental wellness, and empowering women through support services.

“We create awareness and also strategies.

“A couple of times I have been here and noticed the environment is not conducive, dirty waterlogged areas.

“I felt the need to come and organise these programmes.

“I believe the women will benefit most because they hold the family together, their children, husbands, and neighbours.”

She further called for more support from both the government and private sector.

“We expect the government to support us in any way they can, resources and finances to help us reach more people, especially in rural communities,” she added.

In appreciation, two beneficiaries, Mrs Patience John and Mrs Doris James, thanked the organisation for its gesture and informative sessions on malaria prevention.

“I can now sleep under this mosquito net. It will prevent mosquitoes from entering my bed and home. May God bless and replenish them,” they said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

WHO: 25 countries to add malaria vaccines to immunisation by 2025
Health

WHO: 25 countries to add malaria vaccines to immunisation by 2025

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Malaria

By Franca Ofili

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that up to 25 countries are expected to include malaria vaccines in their childhood immunisation programmes by the end of 2025.

Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s Director-General, shared this update on Monday during an online media conference focused on global health issues.

He emphasised that these vaccines could save tens of thousands of young lives annually.

However, Ghebreyesus also raised concerns over the risks posed by recent cuts to U.S. funding for global health initiatives.

“Many of the gains in malaria that have been made over the past 20 years are now at risk due to these funding cuts,” he said.

While he refrained from commenting on the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, Ghebreyesus clarified that the cuts he referred to were those affecting direct U.S. funding.

According to him, this includes funding through agencies such as USAID and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Ghebreyesus warned that the impact of these cuts was already being felt, with severe disruptions in the supply of malaria diagnostics, medicines, and insecticide-treated bed nets due to stockouts and delayed deliveries.

“The U.S. has been the largest bilateral donor to the fight against malaria for the past two decades, helping to prevent an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths.”

If disruptions continue, he predicted an additional 15 million cases of malaria and 107,000 deaths this year alone, potentially reversing 15 years of progress.

A similar situation is unfolding with HIV, where the suspension of most funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has halted services for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention in more than 50 countries.

Ghebreyesus noted that eight countries were facing severe disruptions to antiretroviral therapy, with some likely to run out of medicine in the coming months.

He said this could lead to more than 10 million additional cases of HIV and three million HIV-related deaths.

The WHO Director-General also highlighted the impact on tuberculosis (TB) programmes, with 27 countries in Africa and Asia facing significant disruptions.

“These include shortages of healthcare workers, diagnostic tools, and collapsing data systems.

“Nine countries have already reported problems with the procurement and supply chains for TB drugs, threatening the lives of affected individuals.

”Over the past two decades, U.S. support for TB services has saved nearly 80 million lives, but this progress is now at risk.

”Additionally, the WHO’s Global Measles and Rubella Network, funded solely by the U.S., faces an imminent shutdown, just as measles outbreaks are increasing globally.

”In 2024, 57 large or disruptive measles outbreaks were reported, continuing a trend from the previous three years,” he said.

Ghebreyesus warned that these cuts were also affecting efforts to eradicate polio, monitor emerging diseases like avian influenza, and respond to disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises.

”Nearly 24 million people living in such crises are at risk of losing access to essential health services.”

Ghebreyesus stressed that other donors must step up, and countries that have relied on U.S. funding must also increase their domestic health spending to maintain progress in disease control and health services.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on fake anti-malaria drug
Health

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on fake anti-malaria drug

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By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified the public of the sale of counterfeit combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablet in Nigeria.

 

The notification is in a public alert marked: No. 043/2024, issued on NAFDAC website, disclosing the date of manufacturing of the drug to be Feb. 2023 and June 2023.

 

It equally gave the expiring date of the drug as May 2026 and June 2026, as well as a Batch No: 7225119 with NAFDAC Reg No: A11-0299.

 

The agency equally gave the manufacturer name and address as Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore- 562 106, India.

 

NAFDAC, in the alert, said that all its zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states.

 

It advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain and avoid importation, distribution, sale, and usage of the counterfeit product.

 

It said that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licenced suppliers and that products’ authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.

 

The alert also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

 

It urged Nigerians to call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or report any suspicion event via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

 

“Healthcare professionals and patients are similarly encouraged to report adverse or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.,” it said

 

It advised Nigerians to reports any adverse effects via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.n.

 

NAFDAC promised that the notice would be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Joe Idika

Lagos govt, SFH sign MoU to combat malaria in Lagos
Health

Lagos govt, SFH sign MoU to combat malaria in Lagos

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By Lilian U. Okoro

The Society for Family Health (SFH) and the Lagos State Ministry of Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on an initiative to combat malaria in Lagos state.

Under the World Bank-supported Malaria Impact Project, SFH is deploying innovative strategies to reduce the malaria burden by enhancing prevention and treatment services in both public and private healthcare facilities in the State.

The MoU was signed on Monday, a statement by SFH said on Tuesday.

It said that Nigeria was among the countries most affected by malaria, with over 97 per cent of the population at risk.

It added that in 2021, Nigeria accounted for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden and 31 per cent of malaria-related deaths, predominantly affecting vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women.

The statement explained that the Lagos State Impact Project would address these disturbing figures by aligning with the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) and implementing evidence-based interventions.

“The MoU, signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and SFH’s Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, underscores a strategic partnership focused on reducing malaria prevalence through enhanced prevention and treatment services.

“This collaborative effort is being supported by the World Bank to strengthen healthcare delivery across both public and private facilities in Lagos,” it said.

During the MoU signing ceremony, Abayomi emphasised the importance of the Malaria IMPACT Project, which aligns with the National Malaria Strategic Plan.

“Nigeria continues to bear the brunt of malaria, contributing significantly to global malaria morbidity and mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations like children under five and pregnant women.

“This project is a critical step in reducing these numbers, as it aims to expand access to malaria prevention tools, such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and improve diagnosis and treatment services across the state,” he said.

On his part, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, Managing Director of SFH, highlighted the significance of the project, saying that the Malaria Impact Project focuses on strengthening malaria diagnosis and case management.

He said that SFH would collaborate with the Lagos State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) to enhance malaria diagnosis through the expanded use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and microscopy.

According him, community engagement and behaviour change as well as Public-Private Partnerships for Malaria Elimination, are other areas of focus for the project.

He said: “We are proud to collaborate with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to significantly reduce the malaria burden in the State.

“This initiative brings us closer to a Malaria-Free Nigeria while strengthening healthcare systems to deliver equitable, high-quality malaria control services, particularly in underserved communities.

“By leveraging data and digital solutions, we are addressing critical health challenges and driving improvements that will benefit the entire healthcare system.”

The Deputy Managing Director of SFH, Dr Jennifer Anyanti, emphasised the importance of community engagement.

According to her, community engagement is central to the initiative/project approach.

“By working closely with local organisations and stakeholders, we ensure that essential messages about malaria prevention and treatment reach even the most remote communities, thereby improving health outcomes for all and reaching the over 20 million residents of the state,” Anyanti said.

SFH is one of Nigeria’s largest non-governmental organisations, dedicated to providing high-quality health interventions for underserved populations in West Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

 

 

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