Metro
NMEP Distributes 17m Incecticide Nets in 6 States in 2020
The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), on Thursday revealed that more than 17 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) were distributed in six states of the federation.
The National Coordinator, NMEP, Dr Audu Mohammed, made the revelation during its 2nd bi-annual media interactive on Thursday in Abuja.
Mohammed, who was represent by Dr Perpetual Uhomoibhi, a director in the programme, added that the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) covering the nine state being covered had been planned.
SMC is a preventive measure targeting children between three months and 59 months of age within the Sahel region.
He gave the nine targeted states as: Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. He explained that almost 13 million eligible children would be reached.
”With respect to malaria case management available records from the district health information system (DHIS) shows a monthly average of 2,241,653 fever cases reported at the health facilities nationwide.
“Of the number 1,988,254 (88 per cent) were tested.”
According to him, of the tested cases, 1,468,110 cases were positive and 1,447,233 (99 per cent) of these were treated with anti-malarials.
“Correspondingly, in 2019 the records indicated a monthly national average of 2,337,794 fever cases reported at the health facilities of which 2,117,783 (91 per cent) were tested.
”And of the 1,645,770 that were positive 1,543,789 (94 per cent) were treated with anti-malarials.
“That represented a slightly higher number of fever and malaria cases seen in 2019 compared to 2020.
“These figures and additional information provided during this media event indicate that while we may not have attained our goals we have sustained interventions at very significant levels given the disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These could not have been possible if not, among other things:
“For the support and commitment of the Roll-Back Malaria (RBM) partnership in Nigeria
”The political and financial support by the governments at various levels.
“The awareness sustained by efforts of the media together with other channels.
“And the Nigerian populace that chose deliberately to prioritise their health especially when it comes to tackling malaria,” he said.Bala, however, listed several challenges confronting the programme, amongst which were stigmatisation and fear that tended to hinder individuals from attending health facilities.
“The lock-down, while it lasted, further compounded access to interventions.
“Supplies of commodities suffered severe disruptions with several health facilities experiencing stock-outs for relatively long times.”
He noted that, studies had shown that this reduced child mortality from all causes by 17 per cent compared to “no nets” era.
“In addition, in areas of stable malaria transmission like Nigeria, consistent and correct use of ITNs reduced parasite prevalence by 13 per cent, uncomplicated malaria episodes by 50 per cent, and severe malaria by 45 per cent compared to equivalent populations with no nets.
In a paper presentation “Delivering malaria intervention in the context of COVID-19: How NMEP has Fared”, the Technical Director, NMEP, Prof. Olugbenga Makuolu, said Nigeria accounted for 25 per cent global malaria burden, with 19 per cent global deaths.
The Technical Director also said that Nigeria recorded about 53 million annual malaria cases, with annual death of 81,640.
He said also that 23 per cent of the cases were children from 6 months to 59 months old.
He stressed that NMEP would continue to increase community service it provided, especially in the IDP camps.
He noted that the programme would also maintain services in all health facilities by developing an instrumental video on malaria.
He added that one of such steps is to provide e-malaria services.(NAN)
Metro
Wike Approves Deployment of FCTA’s Pioneer Perm. Secs
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the deployment of the 10 pioneer Permanent Secretaries of the FCT Administration.
The FCT Head of Service, Dr Udo Atang, announced the deployment in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Atang said that Dr Adams Babagana was deployed to Health Services and Environment, while Wanki Ibrahim was deployed to Treasury and Budget.
He also said that Asmau Muhktar was deployed to the Social Development Secretariat, while Dogo Bodinga was deployed to Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat.
The head of service added that Olusa Olusegun was deployed to the Area Councils Services, Adetoyi Kolawole to Women Affairs, while Grace Adayilo Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.
Also deployed were Olubunmi Olowookere to Legal Services Secretariat; Ibe Chukwuemeka to Education Secretariat; and Okonkwo Nonubari to Transportation Secretariat.
“The posting takes immediate effect. Thus, the affected officers should handover to their immediate subordinates in their current Secretariats, Departments and Agencies,” Atang said.
Wike had on March 18, inaugurated the permanent secretaries in line with the provisions of the FCT Civil Service Commission Law, 2018, which commenced operation. (NAN)
Metro
FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration
The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. Tunji-Ojo urged Christians and all Nigerians to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man. The minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promoted values of love, forgiveness and compassion which were essential for social cohesion and harmony.He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they were capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development of Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.Tunji-Ojo further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.This, he said, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.He wished Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.The minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu’s administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.Metro
Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.
Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.
He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.
“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.
“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.
The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.
Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.
The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.
He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.
He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.
According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.
“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.
“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.
“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.
“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)