The World Health Organisation (WHO) has applauded Nigeria for making progress in its malaria elimination programme, by reducing the disease’s prevalence across the country.
The National Professional Officer for Malaria at the WHO, Mrs Linda Ozor, made the commendation on Monday in Abuja, ahead of the 2017 World Malaria Day.
She was speaking at a meeting to examine the progress made so far with implementation of the National Malaria Elimination Programme since 2015.
Mrs Ozor believes that if the current efforts are sustained, Nigeria is capable of eliminating malaria in the nearest future.
“Nigeria has witnessed a lot of successes in malaria programme, notably the decline in prevalence from 42 per cent in 2010 to 27 per cent in 2015. This is a very huge success,” she said.
The Chief of Party, USAID HC3 Nigeria Project, ANNA McCartney-Melstad, on her part, attributed the the success recorded to the diligent work of the Nigerian media.
“We owe so much thanks to the media for helping this fight against malaria; through your words, articles and stories; keeping it on the radars of politicians, individuals in the house; and advocates all across the nation. Congratulations to the media, you have done incredible work,” she said.