The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Federal Government to promptly allocate a portion of the funds saved from the fuel subsidy removal to furnish complimentary malaria treatments and medications in all government-owned hospitals nationwide.
This resolution stemmed from the approval of a motion addressing a matter of national urgency, sponsored by Hon. Amobi Ogah.
As per the 2023 Malaria treatment statistics, approximately 45% of Nigeria’s total population annually contracts Malaria, resulting in an estimated 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths recorded in 2021. This staggering burden places Nigeria at the forefront of global Malaria cases, constituting almost 27% of the total global Malaria burden.
During his opening argument, Hon. Ogah expressed concern about the severity of Malaria, a potentially fatal disease transmitted through mosquito bites carrying plasmodia parasites.
“If left untreated, Malaria can lead to serious health complications such as seizures, brain damage, respiratory problems, organ failure, and even death. Malaria is prevalent in tropical regions and does not discriminate based on race, tribe, or class. It affects everyone.
“In 2020, according to the Health Essentials Report, there were 241 million reported cases of malaria worldwide, resulting in 627,000 deaths, with the majority (90%) occurring in Africa, where over 80% involved children under 5 years old.
“The House acknowledges the most severe form of Malaria, known as Cerebral Malaria, which may progress to a coma and accounts for approximately 15% of child deaths and nearly 20% of adult deaths.
“Considering the interdependence between Malaria and poverty, the House recognises the dangerous scenario created, as a predominantly unwell population lacks strong economic power.
“The House further notes with concern that the average cost of self-medicating for Malaria in Nigeria today is around N5,000, and consulting a healthcare provider with a laboratory test may cost over N10,000. Many Nigerians currently cannot afford these expenses, leading them to resort to local herbs or substandard drugs that may result in complications or death.
“Given the ongoing national economic hardship, where most average and lower-class citizens can hardly afford a single meal per day due to the removal of the oil subsidy and the exorbitant cost of living, obtaining Malaria drugs becomes even more challenging. Thus, government intervention in providing ‘free malaria treatments’ in all government hospitals is essential to avert a Malaria catastrophe.
“I am deeply disturbed by this distressing scenario and fear that without a positive change, innocent citizens from lower socio-economic classes may continue to suffer or perish due to the high cost of living and escalating Malaria drug prices. Therefore, the government’s intervention is crucial.
“It is worth noting that HIV and Tuberculosis, which currently receive free treatment in Nigeria, are not as widespread or lethal as Malaria today,” he emphasized.
Consequently, the House has tasked the Federal Ministry of Health with establishing units in all government hospitals in Nigeria to provide complimentary malaria treatments and drugs.
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