Senate okays agency for Malaria Elimination
…As Nwoko says is achievable
Clement, Pan Afric Reporters
The Senate Tuesday passed for third reading , the bill seeking for establishment of National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria and other related matters .
This is as the sponsor of the bill , Senator Ned Nwoko ( Delta North ) , assured Nigerians that intendment of the bill was achievable and will make Nigeria the first country in Africa to be malaria free .
Passage of the bill for third reading by the Senate , followed consideration and adoption of report presented by its committee on Health ( Secondary and Tertiary ) , Chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo ( Rivers West ) .
The Committee in the report explained to the Senate that the proposed agency when established , will be responsible for coordinating all national efforts towards the prevention , control and eventual elimination of malaria .
It specifically stated that ” The agency when established, will help shift the country ‘s approach from curative to preventive or elimination ” .
The committee added in the report that for nationwide operation of the proposed agency , zonal and state offices shall be established and to be driven by strategic plan backed by law, science and accountability.
In his remarks after the passage of the bill for third reading , the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , described the legislation as a landmark as far as the war against Malaria is concerned being the commonest ailment in this part of the world .
Addressing journalists after passage of the bill, Senator Ned Nwoko said “elimination of Malaria in Nigeria , is practicable and achievable.
” In the course of my research on 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.
” 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 vaccine , see to the elimination of malaria in Nigeria “, he assured .
