Posted by By Segun Olugbile on
The Federal Government and Exxon Mobil Unlimited have agreed to wage war on malaria through local production of artemisinin-based combinations, the first line drug for malaria treatment.....
The Federal Government and Exxon Mobil Unlimited have agreed to wage war on malaria through local production of artemisinin-based combinations, the first line drug for malaria treatment.
The war will be waged through the Africa Health Initiative, initiated by African governments to encourage participation of the public and the private sectors in improving the health and living conditions of Africans.
Before this development, there has been worry over the cost of ACTs recently approved by the Federal Government as a first line drug for malaria treatment.
The worry was borne out of the prohibitive price at which the imported ACTs are being sold. A dosage of the drug costs between N250 and N350.
Minister of Health, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, said the AHI scheme was an example of public-private partnership aimed at encouraging local production of raw materials for the manufacture of ACTs.
He said the effort would bring down the price of the drug, making it affordable for the people.
He added that this would also enhance indigenous production of raw materials for insecticides and subsequent eradication of malaria.
The External Director Public Affairs, Exxon Mobil, Mrs. G.E Essien, said since the inauguration of the AHI in 2000, the company had invested over $20million to support the battle against malaria.