The House of Representatives has re-echoed the call for free Malaria treatment for NIgerians at Primary Healthcare Centres across the country.
The Chairman House Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), Mr. Amaobi Ogah made the call at an interactive meeting with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, in Abuja.
He said that he was disappointed at the Malaria Elimination Programme in Nigeria, explaining that it needs to be reawakened.
He also said that there is the need to look at alternative funding for the health sector following the withdrawal of international support.
“This will ensure that programs and projects relating to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria are implemented seamlessly without any bottlenecks because they are critical to saving the lives of our people.
He said there has been arguments for increased domestic funding and less dependence on foreign funding for the health systems, especially as the US government withdraws financial support towards funding for African Health systems.
Mr Oga said the Nigerian government has risen to the occasion as the country aims at allocating more resources to the fight against communicable diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“This makes the decision of the US government to appear as a blessing in disguise,” he said.
He commended Professor Pate and the Ministry of Health for the leadership, determination and doggedness in making a case for increased funding for the health sector to the Federal Executive Council under the prevailing circumstances.
He said the move led to several funds being allocated to the health sector in recent times and assist long in plugging the funding gaps that the US government decision has created.
The chairman equally urged the minister of health to consider setting up a Trust Fund for intervention in AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
“We want to collaborate with you. We want to work with you in any form. If there is a way you want the committee to help you to succeed, don’t hesitate to ask,” Mr. Ogah said.
He commended the minister of health for efficiently piloting the affairs of the ministry.
“There should be a bill for health fund. If there’s a TETFUND, there should be a heath fund too,” he explained.
The Nigerian Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, told the committee that Health is the responsibility of all tiers of government.
He informed them that Nigeria has already started looking inwards to bridge the funding gap created by USAID exist.
The minister also said that the ministry has been encouraging local manufacturing of Malaria drugs.
He noted that resources the federal government is investing is health is not much.
“If you looking at the spending on health Nigeria, we are not spending enough, ” Dr. Pate said.
He added that Nigeria is fully prepared for the changes that have occurred from the recent withdrawal of assistance from Nigeria.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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