Benue Govt to partner organisations in combating malaria scourge

Benue Govt to partner organisations in combating malaria scourge

Benue State Government has said it is determined to collaborate with all the necessary agencies and organisations to reduce the mortality rate caused by malaria in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Dr Yanmar Ortese, stated this on Wednesday while addressing participants at a one day workshop on capacity development for SMEP on the use of Annual Operating Plan for domestic resource mobilisation advocacy in the state.

The Commissioner appreciated the role of the President’ s Malaria Initiative for States and expressed the willingness of the state government to continue to collaborate with such relevant organization.

Represented by the Director Public Health, Dr Ishember Igbabur, the Commissioner informed that the state government would not hesitate to do anything possible that is aimed at rolling out malaria in the state.

Yanmar opined that the programme should be expanded to accommodate other stakeholders to ensure the wider coverage of the programme for the benefit of the Benue people.

He assured that with the spirit of integration and collaboration and resources, the state would be able to move forward even as he noted that the training would enhance the work of the ministry and to a large extent the state government.

The lead facilitator and programme officer, Nigeria Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA), Murtala Abdul Rahman lamented that Nigeria accounts for about 27 percent malaria cases globally and 32 percent global death.

The NIFAA programme officer lamented further that about 97 percent of the population was at risk even as the country requires $6.4 billion to effectively prevent and fight malaria.

Commenting, the Programme Manager, Benue State Malaria Elimination Programme, Mrs. Susan Abege appreciated the participants and all the stakeholders and expressed the belief that with the commitment the fight against the dreaded disease would be won.