MAPS 2012 Plans Endorsed by Nigerian Government and Donors

The MAPS Project, in partnership with the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), unveiled its 2012 plans for comprehensive malaria prevention and treatment in Nigeria in a program launch held on December 6 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Over 90% of the population of Nigeria is at risk of malaria, which is the leading cause of death in the country. Malaria contributes to 30% of childhood mortality and 11% of maternal mortality. The NMCP estimates that an average of 30 children die each hour from malaria-related illnesses in Nigeria.

The event was attended by over 500 officials with federal and state Ministries of Health, the NMCP, women's organizations, media, and other top functionaries and diplomats from the states of Abuja, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Oyo, Nasarawa, and Zamfara, where the project currently operates.

Among those endorsing the NMCP and MAPS, goodwill messages were received from Honourable Moses Ucheche, Chairman on the Cross River House Committee on Health; His Royal Highness Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agawai the 1st , Emir of Lafiya in Nasarawa; Honourable Kabiru Mohammed Janyau, Zamfara Commissioner of Health; and the wife of the Governor of Benue State, Arc Dooshima Suswan.

MAPS is made possible by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which is providing the project with funding of nearly $80 million towards malaria eradication in Nigeria over a span of five years.

The overarching strategy of the 2012 MAPS plan is to cover target populations by concentrating main activities at local ward and village levels to support malaria control interventions in the communities, linking them with health facilities through community health extension workers. Upward linkages and referrals to secondary health facilities will also be strengthened in tandem with support to other activities at state levels.

The Government of Nigeria itself has adopted a multi-pronged malaria control strategy that includes protection against mosquito bites, prompt treatment of malaria cases, and the provision of intermittent preventive therapy to pregnant women.

MAPS is managed by FHI 360 in collaboration with its partners, Malaria Consortium and Health Partners International. MAPS supports the NMCP through initiatives to increase the quality, access, and uptake of specific malaria control interventions, including long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) demand creation campaigns, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), expanded use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and the delivery of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) to pregnant women.

Posted December 2011

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