Nigeria alone accounts for over 40 percent of the estimated total malaria deaths globally, a situation that is not only alarming, but must be tackled for any meaningful development to occur, Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said.

Speaking in Sokoto Monday during events to mark this year's World Malaria Day, Tambuwal said his administration is aware of the negative consequences of malaria and other neglected tropical diseases on both human and economic growth of the country.

To this end, he said the government will continue to provide free medical care to pregnant mothers and children under the age of five who are vulnerable to malaria and other tropical diseases.

According to him, similar passion will be embarked upon so as to provide care to people living in remote areas of the state.

He said drugs worth billions of Naira have been distributed to all parts of the state, while so far, government has received donations from the federal government and development partners to tackle the issues.

“The fight against these diseases requires collective efforts. Drugs worth billions of Naira from the inception of the programs were provided through the joint efforts of Federal Ministry of Health, Partners and State Government. Recently, the State Government received a donation of Trachoma drugs worth N3.1 Billion which will be distributed in 12 LGAs of Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Rabah, Bodinga, Binji, Tangaza, Kware, Silame, Wamakko, Illela and Gada,” Tambuwal added.

In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole Folorunsho, said the Federal Government is working towards ensuring that no Nigerian will dies from malaria or malaria-related illness from the year 2020.

He added that the government will also strive to ensure that malaria is completely exterminated from the country from the year 2025, ahead of the global target of the year 2030.