Saraki Pressures FG on $300m Malaria Bond

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Nigeria’s Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, has reiterated the Senate’s call for the Federal Government to fast-track access to the $300 million malaria bond.

Mr Saraki made this call on the occasion of 2017 World Malaria Day, which has the theme, ‘Push for Prevention.’

Studies by health organizations show that Nigeria has more reported cases of deaths due to malaria than any other country in the world.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President cited the March 2017, Senate Motion, entitled ‘Urgent need for the Federal Government to access a $300 million Malaria Bond through the Innovative Financing for Malaria Prevention and Control Project (IMPACT).’

The motion called on the Federal Government to fast-track access to the $300 million malaria bond offered by the Global Fund to fight malaria, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and tuberculosis.

Mr Saraki stressed that, “Again, it is necessary that we do our utmost best to access this global fund,” adding that, “With 97 percent of Nigerians being susceptible to malaria, it means that we are all at risk — hence, we have to work to bring down these numbers.”

He said further that, “This year’s theme demonstrates the need for us to also look at ways to push for prevention, as opposed to treatment.

“If we continue with our current healthcare model that focuses more on treatment, with 60 percent of our country’s outpatient visits being malaria-related, we will continue to overburden our healthcare system.”

“Moving forward, the 8th Senate will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure that we access this fund. With 300,000 Nigerians dying from malaria every year, this is not only a duty, it is a priority,” Mr Saraki said.