The Federal Government has engaged three leading pharmaceutical companies Emzor, FIDSON, and CODIX Pharmaceuticals in a high-level meeting aimed at scaling up local production and improving access to malaria commodities in a strategic move to fast track the elimination of malaria in Nigeria.
The meeting held in Abuja was convened by the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).
The National Coordinator of PVAC, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s healthcare mandate to unlock the value chain by localizing production, ensuring affordability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.
The National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, highlighted the need for robust supply chains to guarantee the availability of life-saving malaria interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, antimalarial medicines, and rapid diagnostic kits.
The engagement with the private sector is expected to shape the implementation of the co-payment scheme, reduce out of pocket expenses for patients, and ensure continuous availability of quality malaria commodities across the country.
Nigeria accounts for a significant percentage of the global malaria burden with the Federal Government saying such collaborative efforts are critical to achieving its goal of a malaria free nation.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
