The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) says the World Bank invested about N1.5 billion in the implementation of the IMPACT Malaria Project in Ondo State, contributing to significant improvements in malaria control and child health outcomes.
The Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of IHVN, Dr Charles Mensah, disclosed this on Monday in Akure at the close-out ceremony of the project, implemented in partnership with the Ondo State Ministry of Health.
Mensah said the investment covered malaria commodities, healthcare workers’ training, logistics and other interventions across the state’s 18 local government areas.
He attributed the successful implementation of the project to the commitment of the Ondo State Government, technical support from the World Bank and the National Malaria Elimination Programme.
Speaking on the project’s impact, the World Bank representative, Dr Pwanedo Nzomisaki, said malaria prevalence in the state declined from 27 per cent to 13 per cent during the implementation period, describing the reduction as a major milestone.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said the project also contributed to reducing under-five mortality from 65 to 15 and strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
Ajaka said the intervention revitalised 102 primary healthcare facilities and improved routine immunisation coverage through its Immunisation Plus component.
He thanked the World Bank, IHVN and other development partners for their support, saying the intervention had strengthened the state’s healthcare system and improved health outcomes.
The IMPACT Project is a World Bank-funded intervention aimed at reducing malaria, improving immunisation coverage and strengthening primary healthcare delivery in participating states.
