Nigeria: African leaders unite against malaria

April 12, 2006

(SomaliNet) Nigeria is to host African leaders as they form a united front against, AIDS, malaria and Tuberculosis (ATM). This gathering was preceeded by a press conference at Internews Network Nigeria, which was hosted by ATM’S Africa committee.

Issues to be discussed at the summit in Nigeria will include ways of eliminating the diseases in Nigeria and the entire continent. The 2001 and 2005 progress reports on Abuja, Nigeria will be among other issues to be discussed.

Sani Gwazo of the ATM Network called for joint efforts of the African governments to ensure that the three diseases are history on the continent. Documents will be provided to the Heads of State that will make it for the summit in Nigeria. “The documents have not been prepared for delegates to just come and sign, but for them to use as a guide. At the end of the day, they could be adopted, torn apart or completely thrown away in the course of deliberations at the summit,” he said.

The media in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general were called upon to give coverage to the battle against ATM. This is the only way progress will be ascertained. “The press must be really critical of the state of government policies and actions. Everybody living in this continent should have access to prevention, care and treatment for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria,” the advocate said.

Josephine Kamara from Internews Networks, Nigeria expressed the firm’s commitment to providing journalists in Nigeria training in reporting about health related issues.