All is set for the unveiling of a strategic document by the Dangote Foundation on Private Sector Engagement Strategy to Eliminate Malaria in Nigeria on Monday next week.
The deal is coming in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health
This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Foundation, Zouera Yousoufu,in Lagos on Wednesday.
The group said with Nigeria accounting for 300,000 out of 100 million deaths arising from malaria complications worldwide annually, the private sector policy document will work to reversing the trend.
The Dangote Foundation said it was championing the total eradication of malaria in Nigeria because the malaria deaths cases recorded yearly makes Nigeria the country with the highest number of malaria casualties in the world.
Titled: “Engaging the Private Sector to Eliminate Malaria in Nigeria,” Zouera said the document was a result of months of planning, surveys and deliberations with key private sector leaders and important stakeholders.
The document highlights the priority areas for private sector support in the fight against malaria as well as a detailed strategy for private sector engagement and steps for implementation.
According to her, Nigeria has 25 per cent of the world’s disease burden of malaria and reports more deaths due to the disease than any other country in the world.
Malaria is responsible for a significant number of deaths of women and children every year.
It also accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient hospital visits and 30 per cent of hospital admissions.
An estimated $1.1 billion (N480 billion) is lost annually in Nigeria due to malaria-related absenteeism and treatment costs.
