THE SENATE on Wednesday, passed a bill seeking for establishment of National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria and other related matters.
The passage of the bill for third reading followed consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) Chaired by Sen. Banigo Ipalibo (APC-Rivers)
The Committee in the report explained to the Senate that the proposed agency when established, would 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 newsmen after passage of the bill, Sen. 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 said. (NAN)
