Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a pharmaceutical company, has emphasized the urgent need for effective interventions in malaria and other infectious diseases.
Recognizing the significant health risk posed by malaria in Nigeria, the company has expressed its dedication to combating the disease.
In a statement for World Malaria Day 2024 titled ‘Leading the Fight Against Malaria in Nigeria and Beyond,’ Executive Director Uzoma Ezeoke highlighted the critical nature of the situation.
Wakadaily reports that, World Malaria Day was observed on April 25 with the theme ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.’
The World Health Organization identifies malaria as a potentially life-threatening illness with symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, and breathing difficulties.
As of 2022, there have been approximately 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths due to malaria in 85 countries worldwide.
Africa bears a significant portion of the global malaria burden, with around 233 million cases and 580,000 deaths reported annually.
Emzor Pharmaceutical Company is actively engaged in extensive research and development efforts to combat malaria in Nigeria and other African nations, according to Ezeoke.
He noted that the antimalarial drugs manufactured by Emzor have played a crucial role in saving lives and reducing the impact of the disease.
“Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has grown to become a formidable force in the long-lasting fight against malaria, from producing medicines to prevent and treat malaria to supporting public health programs targeted at malaria education and elimination,” the statement reads partly.
The director of the company also mentioned that the construction of their $23M Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients facility in Shagamu, Ogun state, will have a significant impact on malaria rates in Nigeria and Africa.
Ezeoke added, “This iconic facility represents a trail-blazing milestone in the company’s journey, enabling the local production of critical pharmaceutical ingredients; artemether, lumefantrine, sulfadoxine, and pyrimethamine, essential for antimalarial drugs manufacturing.
“One of the most striking aspects of this venture is its critical role in fortifying the antimalarial supply chain.
“Malaria, an endemic disease in Nigeria, presents a considerable health challenge, with the nation recording the highest annual count of malaria cases and fatalities globally, as indicated by the 2022 WHO World Malaria Report.”
He restated ,“Furthermore, this project carries a significant social benefit. It is geared towards combatting malaria, an endemic infectious disease in West Africa, responsible for approximately 60 per cent of outpatient attendance and nearly 30 per cent of all hospital admissions in Nigeria.
“Besides fulfilling the vital need for essential medicines, this initiative also supports the expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in the region. This expansion has a spill-over effect, fostering knowledge transfer and creating opportunities for nurturing and retaining talents and skills in the region.
“Importantly, it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure longer and healthier lives for all. The local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients promises to protect millions of people in Africa from disease and disability.”
According to Ezeoke, the project puts financial inclusion and the health of pregnant women at the forefront.
“As a substantial portion of health and care workers in Sub-Saharan African countries are women, this initiative could empower them and contribute to enhancing their roles within their respective societies, thus addressing gender inequality.
“The development of this world-class API manufacturing facility in full compliance with international standards, will be the first of its kind in the sub-Saharan African region and upon completion, will be churning out 400 metric tonnes of quality APIs yearly which will accelerate the fight against malaria in Africa,” she mentioned.
