BY CHIJIOKE CHARLES
ABUJA — The Senate on Tuesday passed for third reading a bill seeking the establishment of the National Agency for Malaria Elimination (NAME), a proposed institution designed to coordinate Nigeria’s fight against one of the country’s deadliest and most widespread diseases.
Afrilensnews reports that the passage of the bill marks a significant legislative step toward strengthening Nigeria’s public health framework and intensifying efforts to eradicate malaria, a disease that continues to claim thousands of lives annually despite years of intervention programmes.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), scaled third reading following the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West).
Presenting the committee’s findings, Banigo explained that the proposed agency would serve as the central coordinating body for all national initiatives aimed at preventing, controlling and ultimately eliminating malaria across the country.
According to the report, the agency would drive a strategic shift in Nigeria’s response to malaria by prioritising prevention and eradication measures over the largely curative approach that has dominated public health interventions for decades.
“The agency, when established, will help shift the country’s approach from curative to preventive or elimination,” the committee stated.
The report further disclosed that the agency would establish zonal and state offices nationwide to ensure effective implementation of its programmes. These operations, the committee added, would be guided by a comprehensive strategic framework anchored on legislation, scientific research and accountability mechanisms.
Speaking shortly after the bill was passed, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the legislation as a landmark intervention in the country’s health sector, noting that malaria remains one of the most common illnesses affecting millions of Nigerians.
Akpabio said the proposed agency could become a major instrument in reducing the disease burden that continues to place enormous pressure on families, healthcare facilities and the nation’s economy.
Addressing journalists after the Senate’s approval of the bill, Senator Nwoko expressed confidence that malaria elimination in Nigeria is both realistic and attainable. “Elimination of Malaria in Nigeria, is practicable and achievable,” he said.
The lawmaker disclosed that his advocacy for a dedicated malaria elimination agency was informed by extensive research and consultations conducted over time.
“In the course of my research on elimination of Malaria, I went to Antarctica with some of my legislative aides after which I came up with the bill, which was passed for second reading in May last year and third reading by the Senate today.
“Eradicating or Eliminating Malaria is achievable in Nigeria through a special agency for that purpose.
“The agency, when established, shall through effective waste management, fumigation and research on vaccine, see to the elimination of malaria in Nigeria,” he assured.
Nigeria accounts for one of the highest malaria burdens globally, with the disease responsible for significant mortality, especially among children under five and pregnant women. Public health experts have long argued that fragmented interventions, inadequate funding and poor environmental management have slowed progress in combating the disease.
If eventually enacted into law and signed by the President, the proposed agency could centralise anti-malaria efforts, improve coordination among federal and state authorities, attract greater investment in prevention programmes and strengthen research into vaccines and other innovative control measures.
