Faisal Shuaibu Archives - Leading Reporters

The Ministry of Health has submitted a 2022 budget proposal to the Senate to borrow N82 billion ($200 million) to buy mosquito nets.

The proposal is captured in the ministry’s Malaria Programme, according to its Permanent Secretary, Mahmuda Mamman, who defended it before the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.

The official said the fund would be used to medically fight malaria in 13 states.

The coverage is expected to spread across 3,536 primary health care centres in 208 local government councils.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, further clarified to the committee that the loan covers the importation and local production of mosquito nets.

The Senate Committee expressed strong reservations about the proposal, dismissing it as another money-making scheme that will only benefit creditors.

“Don’t we have local manufacturers of mosquitoes nets and malaria drugs in Nigeria to patronise with the loan?” Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe queried the officials.

Nigeria recorded the highest number of malaria cases (27%), and highest number of malaria deaths (23%) in the world in 2019, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

The WHO recently recommended the widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine to specifically fight high P. falciparum malaria transmission.

The P. falciparum is the most deadly malaria parasite globally, and most prevalent in Africa where it kills more than 260,000 children under the age of five annually, with Nigeria one of the worst affected.

WHO’s recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi that has reached more than 800,000 children, with more than 2.3 million doses administered, since 2019.

RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine is to be provided in a schedule of four doses in children from five months of age for the reduction of malaria disease and burden.

The federal government on Tuesday announced its plan to take COVID-19 vaccination exercise to churches.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib stated this during a meeting with the leaders of Christain Association of Nigeria in Abuja.

According to him, Christian leaders across the country have been formidable pillars of support in all primary health care interventions.

“I am aware that in the States and LGAs, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria are strong and committed members of the State and LGA Task Forces on Immunization.

“These ambassadors have contributed immensely to confidence building and trust in Government led public health programs, especially in the days of the Nigeria polio eradication program when we were battling with high rate of refusals to vaccination due to rumours and misinformation.

“I am glad to inform you that from this Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, we have introduced Sunday Vaccination,” he said.

He added that, working with the state governments, arrangement have been made for corporate vaccination.

“This is for eligible staff of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Private/corporate organizations, including Faith-based organizations, their family members, dependants, and retirees to be vaccinated at their convenience. Please visit www.nphcda.gov.ng to access the registration portal,” he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of Nigerian Interfaith Action Association, Sunday Onuoha called on Christian leaders to partner with the government in promoting acceptance of the vaccine.

He noted that faith leaders were in position to address misinformation while enhancing public health impact.

“We are here because we know that faith leaders have the capacity and authority to effect a change of mind and drive acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.

“The Church, and all faith community will partner with the federal government to make Nigerians smile, we succeeded with polio, malaria and we will succeed in this time of COVID-19,” he said.

Similarly, the Minister of state for health, Mamora Olorunnimbe urged the christian leaders to mobilize its members for vaccination.

He said that the only way Nigerians can reciprocate the efforts of the government in securing the health of the populace was to access the vaccines provided.

“The highly dreaded delta variants is here with us, hence we must mobilize our congregation to quickly take the vaccines, so that the government can get more.

“The vaccine are effective and safe, they have been certified by the world health organisation and NAFDAC.

“You all have the responsibility as leaders to protect the lives of your followers,” he said.

Faisal Shuaibu

FG to borrow N82 billion to buy Mosquito Nets

FG Takes COVID-19 Vaccination Exercise To Churches