The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Mission Director, Sara Werth has stated that, in 2023, the American government, through the agency, partnered with Nigeria to donate 13.4 million bed nets, 6 million fast-acting medicines, and 11.8 million malaria rapid diagnostic tests to clinics and communities in Nigeria.
Werth, who was speaking during the commemoration of the 2024 World Malaria Day, highlighted the partnership between the United States and Nigeria to protect people from malaria and support healthy communities.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is widespread across Nigeria and occurs regularly. According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria accounted for nearly 67 million cases in 2022, accounting for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden. In the same year, Nigeria accounted for 31 per cent of global deaths and 38 per cent of global deaths in children under the age of five.
Since 2011, the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has partnered with Nigeria to fight malaria, contributing $914 million to date and $73 million in 2023. The PMI has helped save over 10.6 million lives and prevented 1.7 billion malaria infections worldwide since 2000. Through PMI funding and programmes, USAID delivered 13.4 million bed nets, 6 million fast-acting medicines and 11.8 million malaria rapid diagnostic tests to clinics and communities in Nigeria over the past year. In 2023, more than 7,200 health workers were trained to strengthen their skills in malaria detection, treatment, and how to provide lifesaving care for their communities.
The deputy mission director lauded the Federal Ministry of Health for collaborating with the United States government and working to foster robust and effective malaria services in the future. “As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs in our collective battle against malaria, let us reaffirm our commitment to a future where no family in Nigeria fears the threat of this disease,” she remarked.
She continued, “I urge the government of Nigeria to invest in making malaria programming more efficient and effective using data and other evidence to inform malaria implementation and drive faster results.”
PMI’s annual report, recently released, showcased how PMI is supporting partner countries, such as Nigeria, to advance the fight against malaria and create more effective and resilient health systems.
U.S. global malaria coordinator, Dr. David Walton said from Washington, DC, “I commend the energy, dedication and ingenuity of those working on the front lines to protect their communities from malaria. The United States is committed to working hand in hand with the people of Nigeria as we pursue our joint vision of a malaria-free future.”
