UK drive to rid Nigeria of malaria

31 August 2009

A new UK-backed campaign to rid Nigeria of malaria and distribute over 63 million lifesaving bednets launched its second phase in the north of the country today. 

Malaria is a wholly preventable disease and sleeping under a bednet is a simple and effective way of avoiding infection. With support from several donors, including £50 million in UKaid, two insecticide treated bed nets will be distributed to every Nigerian household by December 2010, reaching over 30 million homes and saving thousands of lives.

The malaria crisis in Nigeria is severe. Nigeria accounts for over a quarter of all cases of malaria in Africa and it is having a damaging impact on the country’s economy. It is estimated that the inability of people to work due to malaria illness costs Nigeria  at least one billion dollars each year.

Nigeria has recently started a significant effort to combat malaria backed by the UK Department for International Development, USAID, The World Bank, The Global Fund and UNITAID/ UNICEF. The initial phase of the Kano campaign in May distributed 2.1 million long lasting insecticidal nets. This second phase will involve the distribution of a further 2 million nets to 1 million households. 

DFID, through its £50m Support to National Malaria Programme (SuNMaP) project, is helping to coordinate and deliver the Nigerian bednet distribution effort; as well as providing 6 million UK funded nets.

The campaign involves:

• 331 lorries transporting nets to 1500 distribution points across Kano;
• Training 9,500 volunteers to visit  an estimated 2 million households to tell them about the campaign and how they can claim their bednet;
• Town criers announcing the delivery of the nets to their village;
• Community leaders educating people of the importance of hanging the nets every day;
• Radio broadcasts promoting the benefits of the nets; and
• Drama groups performing sketches outlining the dangers of malaria and demonstrating how to hang the nets.

International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander, said:

“It is shocking that half of all Nigerians will become infected with malaria each year. Over 30% of childhood deaths and 11% of maternal deaths in Nigeria are caused by malaria – but what is worse is that these are preventable deaths.
“All too often families can’t afford the bednets that could save their lives. That is why the UK is proud to support this campaign to ensure that every Nigerian family can sleep under the protection of a bednet.”