Capitalizing on Competencies: Partnering to Eliminate Malaria and Accelerate Impact on Maternal and Child Health

2014 Annual Technical Workshop | Abuja, Nigeria | July 2014

NigeriaWorkshopWith Nigeria accounting for 13 percent of global under-five deaths and 24 percent of maternal deaths, over the next year, it is imperative that a focused, coordinated approach be taken to reducing maternal and child deaths that aligns existing resources and funnels them to impactful and feasible interventions.

Nigeria has already made much progress including distribution of bed nets to 80 percent of the population–by continuing to put words into action in responding to the challenges and opportunities with managing diseases such as malaria, Nigeria is poised to truly be a major global shaker.


In July, GBCHealth/CAMA  and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), in partnership with Friends of the Global Fund Africa and Access Bank, convened 120 participants representing over 20 companies and more than 30 government, civil society and academic institutions for a day-long private sector-focused workshop on malaria and maternal child health in Abuja, Nigeria.

Opening the event, the Coordinator of the NMEP, Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe stated that the country needs approximately $700 million to support its malaria control activities over the next three years. She urged other government agencies and the private sector to form partnerships in order to eliminate malaria from Nigeria.

Discussions were spirited and thought-provoking, elevating expectancy across the various stakeholders present that all are responsible to influence progress in Nigeria’s health targets.  Access Bank Group Managing Director Herbert Wigwe justified the need for big corporations to lend a helping hand in the fight against malaria. “The fight against malaria is one that all should embrace because a healthy society is beneficial to all. The decision to partner with GBCHealth on this issue was not a difficult one.”

 

GBCHealth/CAMA is humbled by the tremendous support received over the year as we explored ways to concretely support the National Malaria Elimination Program. While there are many to thank, we express our deepest gratitude to our Capitalizing on Competencies convening partners and sponsors, and especially to Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Program. Dr. Ezeigwe, her team and other ministry colleagues were forthcoming in their challenges and open to discuss how we could support their efforts.

It is from this engagement that GBCHealth/CAMA has committed to reconvening in Nigeria in 2015 to follow-up on key actions coming out of the July forum.

Spotlight on Nigeria — Accelerating Progress on Malaria and Maternal Child Health

New Technologies for Malaria Vector Control

(Mis) Diagnosing Malaria — Nigerian Breweries Case Study

Malaria Control and Elimination in the Age of Resistance

Accelerating Achievement of MDGs 4 and 5 — Strengthening Malaria Prevention and Treatment in Pregnancy and for Children Under 5

Financing for Malaria to Meet MDG 4 and 5—Boosting Investments Locally

Find a full list of participants here.

Check out the agenda 

Pictures from the event may be accessed here.

 

Supported by:

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Margaret ArbogastThe 2014 GBCHealth/Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa Annual Technical Forum