US donates four million mosquito nets to Nigeria

The Director, United States Agency for International Development, Michael T. Harvey, has announced the donation of about four million insecticide-treated bednets to Cross River and Ebonyi states.

He said it was part of the US government’s commitment to preventing malaria in Nigeria.

The cost of the nets, including transportation from the factory to eventual households, is valued at N2.8bn (about $14.6m).

The agency said nine other states would enjoy the same gesture in the coming months.

“Bednets bring prevention directly into every Nigerian home. It is up to families to hang them, and sleep under them daily to protect themselves and the most vulnerable, especially pregnant women and children under five,” Harvey said.

Nigeria is said to be the country with the highest malaria burden worldwide with an estimated 100 million malaria cases and about 300,000 deaths each year.

The agency said the US government contribution to malaria prevention in Nigeria since 2010 amounted to N69bn naira ($345m).

- Punch