Senate approves National Agency for Malaria Elimination
Senate Passes Bill to Establish National Agency for Malaria Elimination
The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill proposing the creation of a National Agency for Malaria Elimination, following its third reading. Senator Ned Nwoko (APC Delta North), the bill’s sponsor, emphasized its feasibility and potential impact.
During a recent plenary session, Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (APC Rivers West), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Secondary and Tertiary, presented the committee’s report, which outlined the agency’s intended role. The new agency is expected to coordinate national efforts aimed at the prevention, control, and eventual elimination of malaria across the country.
Banigo noted that upon establishment, the agency will shift Nigeria’s focus from curative methods to more preventive strategies. It plans to set up zonal and state offices operating under a strategic framework guided by legal, scientific, and accountability measures.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio characterized the legislation as a significant development in the fight against malaria, which he identified as a prevalent health issue in the region.
In comments to reporters after the bill’s passage, Senator Nwoko reiterated his confidence in the agency’s potential to make Nigeria the first malaria-free nation in Africa. He shared insights from his research on malaria elimination, which included a trip to Antarctica with legislative aides. The bill initially passed its second reading in May 2022 before reaching this milestone.
Nwoko stated his belief that through effective waste management, fumigation, and research into vaccines, the proposed agency could significantly contribute to malaria elimination in Nigeria.
