Federal Government Of Nigeria
Reps tell FG to provide malaria treatment for the nation. House members have urged the federal government to give free malaria treatment and medications in public-owned hospitals across the country as soon as possible.
In a motion of urgent national importance introduced on the floor of the House on Thursday during plenary session by a member representing Isuikwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State, Amobi Ogah, the House described malaria as a serious disease that spreads ‘when you are bitten by a mosquito infected with the tiny parasites called plasmodia.’
Malaria, according to the congressman, can cause severe health problems such as convulsions, brain damage, difficulty breathing, organ failure, and even death if not treated.
“Malaria is prevalent in the tropics and has no’respect’ for race, tribe, or class; it infects everyone.”
According to the member of parliament, “In 2020 (Health Essentials Report) there were 241 million reported cases of malaria throughout the world, with 627,000 deaths with the majority of the deaths (90 per cent) in Africa with more than 80 per cent involving children under the age of five years.”
Mr. Ogah, who led the debate, stated that the House was aware of the most severe form of Malaria, which can develop to coma celebral malaria.
“This type accounts for approximately 15% of child deaths and nearly 20% of adult deaths.” According to Malaria treatment 2023 figures, approximately 45 percent of Nigeria’s overall population gets afflicted with malaria on a yearly basis.
“In 2021, an estimated 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths from the disease were recorded.” Nigeria has the greatest malaria burden in the world, accounting for roughly 27% of the worldwide malaria burden.
“The House recognizes that malaria is both a cause and a result of poverty because the two are inextricably linked, creating a very dangerous scenario that is critical because a predominantly sick population cannot have strong economic power.”
“The House also expresses concern that the average cost of treating malaria in Nigeria today by self-medication is approximately N5,000.00, while consultation with a healthcare provider with a laboratory test may cost more than N10,000.00.” Many
“At the moment, Nigerians cannot afford these.” As a result, individuals may resort to using local herbs or low-quality medications, which can lead to complications or even death.
“Concerned that, upon (sic) the present national economic hardship where a single meal per day is hardly affordable by most average and lower-class citizens with the exorbitant cost of living due to the removal of oil subsidy, affordability of the purchase of malaria drugs becomes even more difficult thus, the need for the intervention of the government in the provision of free malaria/treatments and drugs in government hospitals to avert the malaria catastrophe.”
He went on to say that “HIV and tuberculosis that presently enjoy free treatment in Nigeria are not as prominent, widespread and even killers as malaria today.”
Following the passage of the motion, the House requested the Federal Government to use “part of the savings from the removal of petroleum subsidy to provide free malaria/treatment and drugs in all government hospitals in Nigeria.”