Universal access to malaria drugs, prevention by 2013 will lead to eradication, Nigerian Government says

The Nigerian government believes that by 2013 malaria will cease to be a major public health problem in the country because families will have universal access to prevention and treatment, which will ultimately lead to malaria eradication in Nigeria, according to a document prepared by the National Malaria Control Program of the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, Nigeria, Xinhua reports.

According to the document, the government aims to reduce by half malaria-related deaths by 2010. The malaria control plan is in an effort to achieve the U.N. Millennium Development Goal of combating malaria, in addition to national health and development priorities.

Malaria control activities will involve a "broad partnership," including all sectors of society, various levels of the government, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders and the private sector, Xinhua reports. "Community involvement and empowerment will be a key cornerstone of this strategic plan,'' the document said.

The plan includes a monitoring and evaluation framework and highlights factors that lead to the spread of malaria (Xinhua, 6/1).