FG tasks Dangote on local production of antimalarials

FG tasks Dangote on local production of antimalarials

by -
0 584

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has called on the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and other industrialists to invest in the local production of antimalarials and Long Lasting Insecticide Mosquito Nets.

Adewole made this call at the inauguration of the Private Sector Engagement Strategy against Malaria, organised by the foundation, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme in Lagos.

According to the minister, treated nets distributed in Nigeria are imported from Tanzania while 80 per cent of antimalarials drugs sold in the country are from India and China.

He said, “We need more industrialists and philanthropists to invest in local production of treated nets because we cannot continue to use hard-earned resources to buy nets from Tanzania.”

Adewole urged stakeholders in the sector to channel more investment in malaria research and other sensitisation programmes.

Dangote, in his remark, said the foundation was ready to take up the 2030 malaria elimination challenge set by stakeholders and called for more innovative tools to tackle the disease in the country.

Dangote said, “I co-founded the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, which is focused on mobilising the private sector capabilities, innovation and resources to complement government efforts in advancing health outcomes in the country. The alliance has incubated 42 innovations including the development of a urine malaria test.

“As the National Malaria Ambassador, I want to implore those in the private sector to pull in resources and join the ‘Malaria to Zero” campaign. I have accepted invitation from Bill Gates and Ray Chambers to join the End Malaria Council.”

 PUNCH. 

NO COMMENTS

Leave a Reply