The House of Representatives has declared an emergency on Malaria, while making moves to subsidise malaria drugs for Nigerians at all Government Health Centers across the country.
The Chairman House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control (ATM), Mr Amobi Ogar made this known at the inaugural meeting of the Committee in Abuja.
According to him, most Nigerians are affected by Malaria and yet access to drugs is not readily available, while the ones available are very exorbitant.
Mr Ogar stated that the Committee would address the proliferation of fake and sub-standard Malaria drugs in the country to identify the sources and impose penalties on them.
He said the Committee would critically look into the operations and processes of the Global Fund about their intervention mechanism in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“I am also concerned by the havoc Malaria is wrecking on our populace and we are going to push and advocate that Malaria drugs be subsidized if not made free at all Government Health Centers. It is no rocket science that most Nigerians are affected by Malaria yet access to drugs is not readily available, while the ones available are very exorbitant.
“My vision is to see a Nigeria where malaria drugs will be given to our people free or subsidized.We are going to devise new mechanisms and approaches in our engagements and fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria control in our Country to make a difference and avoid the failures of the past”, Mr Ogar said.
The committee added that new collaborations and partnerships with relevant MDAs, donor agencies and NGOs, must be sought to achieve the desired goal.
