Senate Passes Bill To Establish National Malaria Elimination Agency

The Senate on Wednesday passed for third reading a bill seeking the establishment of a National Agency for Malaria Elimination.

This marks a significant legislative step in Nigeria’s efforts to combat one of the country’s most prevalent public health challenges.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), scaled third reading following the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West).

Presenting the report, the committee said the proposed agency would coordinate all national efforts aimed at the prevention, control and eventual elimination of malaria in Nigeria.

According to the committee, the agency would help shift the country’s malaria response from a predominantly curative approach to a preventive and elimination-focused strategy.

“The agency, when established, will help shift the country’s approach from curative to preventive or elimination,” the report stated.

The committee further explained that the agency would operate through zonal and state offices across the federation and implement a strategic plan anchored on legislation, scientific research and accountability.

Following the passage of the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposed legislation as a landmark intervention in the fight against malaria, noting that the disease remains one of the most common ailments affecting Nigerians.

Speaking with journalists after the Senate’s approval of the bill, Senator Nwoko expressed confidence that malaria elimination in Nigeria is both practical and achievable.
“Elimination of malaria in Nigeria is practicable and achievable,” he said.

The lawmaker disclosed that his advocacy for malaria eradication was informed by extensive research, including a trip to Antarctica with some of his legislative aides.

“In the course of my research on the elimination of malaria, I went to Antarctica with some of my legislative aides, after which I came up with the bill, which was passed for second reading in May last year and third reading by the Senate today,” he said.

Nwoko maintained that the establishment of a dedicated agency would provide the institutional framework required to tackle malaria more effectively.

“Eradicating or eliminating malaria is achievable in Nigeria through a special agency for that purpose.
“The agency, when established, shall through effective waste management, fumigation and research on vaccines, see to the elimination of malaria in Nigeria,” he added.

He expressed optimism that the proposed agency would place Nigeria on the path to becoming the first African country to eliminate malaria.