Lawmakers Declare State Of Emergency On Malaria

House of Representatives has declared a state of emergency on malaria, calling on the federal government to subsidise drugs for the treatment of the disease and even made its treatment free in all Government Health Centers in the country.

The chairman, House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control (ATM), Hon. Amobi Ogar gave this indication at the inugural meeting of the panel yesterday.

He said most Nigerians are affected by malaria yet access to drugs are not readily available, while the ones available are very exorbitant.

Ogar stated that the Committee will address the proliferation of fake and sub-standard Malaria drugs in the country with a view to identifying the sources and imposing penalties on them.

“I am also concerned by the havoc Malaria is wreaking on our populace and we are going to push and advocate that Malaria drugs be subsidized if not made free at all Government Health Centers.

“It is no rocket science that most Nigerians are affected by Malaria yet access to drugs are not readily available, while the ones available are very exorbitant. My vision is to see a Nigeria where malaria drugs will be given to our people free or subsidised,” the lawmaker said.