The Senate yesterday urged the Federal Ministry of Health to procure effective antimalarial drugs and supply them free of charge to all public health facilities across the country.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (APC, Kano) on the upsurge in malaria cases in the country.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to sensitise Nigerians on how to take appropriate and effective malaria preventive and treatment measures.
Moving the motion, Kwankwaso said in recent times the outbreak of malaria has exponentially increased particularly northern Nigeria to an epidemic level.
In his comments, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the motion raised by Senator Kwankwaso was genuine and germane, and that the malaria issue could be addressed with the implementation of the 2014 National Health Act.
“We must also work ensure that the Appropriations Committee works to ensure that we meet the requirements of the National Health Act in the 2018 budget,” he said.
