The Federal Government on Monday launched the Malaria Modelling Programme in Abuja to ensure that Nigeria achieves a zero malaria prevalence rate by 2025.
The National Coordinator of National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Perpetua Uhomoibhi said the importance of eliminating malaria with data by 2025 necessitate the launch of the programme which is aimed at sourcing data for malaria reduction and elimination.
Uhomoibi expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating malaria by 2025 with quality data necessary for tracking and prevention and called for collective commitment of all towards a zero malaria prevalence in the country.
The Director, Research and Planning, National Centre for Disease Control, Mrs. Chinwe Ochu described the modelling programme as a pre-elimination stage for achieving zero malaria prevalence.
Ochu explained that the programme is the commencement of preventive interventions for malaria, and like any other disease required data to actually tackle it squarely.
Dr. Kesiye Leghemo, member, Corona Management System, congratulated the participants in the programme and other stakeholders for making the programme a reality
Leghemo said that the participants in the programme were made up of representation from the six geopolitical zones.
Credible News reports that the programme is being organised by Corona Management System and it entails training of persons on malaria data.
Prof. Emmanuel Bakari appealed to the participants to use the opportunity to equip themselves with skills of malaria modelling necessary for fighting the disease.
Dr Ismaila Raji also said that the programme was key to reducing the burden of malaria with accurate data.
Raji, who said the prevalence of malaria in Nigeria, ranged from 20 to 50 percent depending on the area, adding that it was time to tackle it.
