AISHA ABUBAKAR
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has called for an increase in the commitment of stakeholders in fighting malaria in Africa.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday to mark the world malaria day, Chairman of Dangote Group, said April 25 “is an opportunity to highlight our progress against malaria and assess the challenges and our efforts as a continent and as a nation to eliminate malaria.”
The billionaire noted that malaria killed 435,000 people in 2017 and still kills a child every two minutes, and that Africa is the worst hit with “93% of malaria deaths, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo accounting for 36% of all malaria cases.”
Dangote, who is the United Nations (UN) malaria ambassador for Nigeria, also said that to have malaria rolled back, the World Health Organisation (WHO) calls for “political will, increased funding, especially domestic funding and implementing a coordinated country response.”
He added: “But I cannot do it alone, no organization or sector can achieve the ambitious goal of malaria elimination alone. I, therefore, want to call on all stakeholders, public sector, private sector, donors, non-governmental organisations, and others to redouble their commitment and join me in this fight to eliminate malaria. Together, let us save our children, family, nation and continent.”