Niger govt. launches N2.5Billion Malaria Intervention

By Daniel Eb, Minna

 The Niger State Government has announced the launch of a comprehensive malaria intervention program worth over N2.5 billion, marking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare delivery in the region.

As part of this initiative, the government has commenced the distribution of 1,000 out of 2,000 procured hospital beds, along with essential medicines, medical consumables, and mobility aids.

This landmark event took place at the Niger State Drugs and Hospital Consumables Management Agency (NSDHCMA) in Minna, with the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Comrade Yakubu Garba, presiding over the launch and distribution of malaria commodities.

Comrade Garba emphasized that this intervention is a crucial element of the health agenda under the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who is committed to expanding access to quality, affordable, and responsive healthcare for all residents of Niger State. 

He noted that the initiative is expected to benefit approximately 6.9 million residents, with nearly four million individuals already reached during the initial phase of distribution.

The Deputy Governor highlighted the necessity for a timely, transparent, and equitable distribution of the medical supplies to health facilities across the state, asserting that this intervention will significantly reduce the burden of malaria and prevent avoidable deaths.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of NSDHCMA, Pharmacist Umar Ndagi, reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring the continuous availability of essential medicines and medical supplies in public health facilities throughout the state. 

He confirmed that the distribution of the first 1,000 hospital beds is underway, with an additional 1,000 beds expected to arrive shortly.

Pharmacist Ndagi also mentioned that the agency is collaborating with the Malaria Consortium to distribute prophylactic antimalarial medicines across all 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State. 

Currently, NSDHCMA supplies about 90 percent of the medicines and medical consumables utilized in the state’s public healthcare system, which includes 23 general hospitals and over 400 primary healthcare centres, as well as the IBB Specialist Hospital.

Pharmacist Aminu Aliyu, the State Representative of the Malaria Consortium, praised the Niger State Government for fostering a conducive environment for health interventions, providing timely counterpart funding, and enhancing coordination among stakeholders. 

He noted that the Malaria Consortium, in partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Programme and other collaborators, has supplied millions of insecticide-treated nets, diagnostic kits, and antimalarial medicines to bolster malaria prevention and control efforts in the state.

The launch event was well attended, featuring key figures such as the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Commissioners for Information and Orientation, Women Affairs and Social Development, and Humanitarian and Disaster Management, as well as the State Head of Service, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Permanent Secretaries, senior government officials, and other stakeholders in the health sector.

This proactive initiative by the Niger State Government reflects its commitment to improving public health and combating malaria, a disease that poses a significant threat to the well-being of millions of Nigerians.