Osun has a good record in malaria advocacy

By Adenitan Akinola

The Federal Government has charged Osun State to pay its counterpart fund of about eight hundred million naira for three years as one of the benefiting thirteen Nigeria states in the ongoing Global Fund grant support for Malaria.

Osun State is expected to budget for about three hundred million naira annually to make up for the two hundred and sixty naira being 15% co-financing share expected to be provided for by the state.

Addressing Governor Ademola Adeleke during an advocacy visit on the insecticide Treated Net Campaign in Osogbo, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Adebiyi Olufunso said the Global Fund was investing over five billion naira in Osun State between 2021-2023 to cover various activities aimed at combating Malaria disease in the state including Insecticide Treated Net, Malaria Rapid Diagnostics test kits and anti malaria drugs.

Represented by the Director of Surveillance, Evaluation and Operation Research of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Mr Chukwu Okonkwo, the Permanent Secretary said despite the huge resources being committed by the Global Fund, the counterpart funding of the benefiting states was still required to fill the existing gaps.

“The Global Fund co-financing condition requires that Nigeria contributes at least 15% of the grant value over the grant period. Therefore, Osun State is required to Budget for and release the minimum sum of #784,898,668 for the control of malaria in your state over the 3-year period of the grant.(i.e, an average of 261, 632,889.33 annually).

He stated that though malaria prevalence nationwide has reduced from 42% in 2010 to 22% in 2021, while in Osun State it reduced from 33% in 2015 to 19% in 2021,much is needed to be done to reduce its prevalence and deaths to 50 pet 1000 births by 2025 as set out in the current National Malaria Strategic plan.

“It is critical that malaria services not just continue uninterrupted but improve significantly of we are to achieve our set targets. If Malaria interventions are halted or disrupted, it is estimated that the current number of deaths due to malaria occuring every hour could double in Nigeria,and we could return to the levels recorded 20 years ago “. The Permanent Secretary said.

Responding, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke who was represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi promised to compliment every resources received from the Global Fund on the malaria elimination Programme.

Senator Adeleke explained that Osun State had a good record in the malaria advocacy, adding that his administration is concerned about the grassroots where the bulk of the population is domiciled.

“Osun has good track records in malaria advocacy and treated nets distribution. This year is not going to be an exemption. I am giving the entire process of the net distribution my full support. Our people will receive the nets and use them. This will contribute to a further reduction in the malaria burden in our dear State.”

The Governor appreciated the contributions of the Global Fund, the National Malaria Elimination Programme and all other partners towards the reduction of the burden of malaria in Osun State.

Earlier, the representatives of one of the partners, The Catholic Relief Services, Mr Emmanuel Obi appealed to the state government to prevail on the people for the utilisation of the Treated Net which he noted was more important than mere ownership.

Giving a breakdown of the Osun 2023 distribution exercise, the Manager of the OSUN ITN Campaign, Mr John Ocholi said the net distribution had been enumerated into 1,181 hubs comprising 3 persons in each of the hubs, who would distribute the nets to each household on the basis of the numbers of mothers.

Mr Ocholi urged the state government to support the campaign with media sponsorship to enlighten and mobilize the people.

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