The Nigerian Senate has taken a major step in the fight against malaria by approving the second reading of a bill designed to establish the National Agency for Malaria Eradication (NAME). This legislative progress was achieved during Thursday’s plenary session, led by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North).
Key Features of the Proposed Agency
Centralized Oversight: NAME is proposed as an independent and well-funded body responsible for developing and implementing national strategies to eliminate malaria.
Resource Management: The agency would oversee coordination across multiple sectors, ensuring transparent and effective management and allocation of resources.
Promotion of Research and Innovation: It would also focus on supporting vaccine research and exploring genetic advancements to enhance malaria control efforts.
Justification for the Bill
Senator Nwoko emphasized the bill’s importance by citing the World Health Organization’s 2024 report, which revealed that Nigeria accounted for more than 184,000 of the 600,000 global deaths from malaria—making it the highest in the world. He stressed that malaria is more than just a health challenge; it is a systemic crisis that affects maternal health, hampers economic growth, and slows national development.
Next Steps
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Health for detailed review and recommendations, with a report expected within four weeks.
This legislative initiative reflects Nigeria’s strong commitment to eradicating malaria and enhancing public health.
NewsGlobal Reporters