At the heart of the fight against malaria in Nigeria, Mr. Umenwa Emmanuel, the MD/CEO of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, has presented the Geneith Health Competition as a vital initiative, driven by corporate social responsibility and youth-driven innovation. In his address at the launch of the competition, he highlighted the pressing challenges that malaria poses in Nigeria, stating, “To say that malaria is Nigeria's number one health challenge is to restate the obvious. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of malaria deaths.”
Emmanuel shared alarming statistics, noting that in 2022, Nigeria experienced 66.7 million malaria cases, resulting in about 189,321 deaths, with the majority of fatalities occurring in children under five. He emphasized the need for immediate action, explaining, "Last year, the malaria incidence in Nigeria was 299 for every 1,000 persons.”
Under the rallying theme for this year World Malaria Day, “Let's come together to Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite, and Stay Committed,” Emmanuel called for collective responsibility in addressing the malaria crisis. "This year's theme encapsulates our unified mission and serves as a guiding principle for our collective efforts in combating malaria," he stated.
Discussing each component of the theme, he stressed the importance of reinvestment in public health infrastructure to combat malaria effectively. “We must ensure that necessary resources—financial, human, and technological—are strategically allocated to face this preventable illness,” he urged, identifying the need for community health programs and enhanced access to medical care.
Emmanuel also highlighted the significance of reimagining approaches to the malaria challenge. "Through the Geneith Health Competition, we encourage young minds to think outside the box and develop new ideas and strategies for malaria prevention. By embracing innovation, we can leverage technology and community engagement to raise awareness and drive positive change,” he explained.
Recognizing the role of youth in public health advocacy, he declared, “We need to reignite our passion for the fight against malaria, especially among our youth, who are both the leaders of tomorrow and the change-makers of today.” He views this competition as a powerful platform to engage students, empowering them to advocate for malaria prevention within their communities.
"Our goal is to inspire a new generation of healthcare champions who understand the importance of prevention and effective communication," he added. With a prize pool exceeding ₦120 million, the initiative emphasizes Geneith Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to nurturing young advocates for health.
Emmanuel also reinforced that the Geneith Health Competition aligns with the strategic objectives set forth by the WHO and Nigeria’s National Rollback Malaria program. “This partnership amplifies our efforts, ensuring that we are reinforcing global and national goals in combating malaria,” he remarked.
As he concluded, Emmanuel called on all stakeholders—including health ministers, educators, policymakers, and civil society leaders—to support the initiative. “Together, we can ignite the sparks of hope and innovation. Let us commit ourselves to this thematic framework,” he urged, promoting a future where malaria is no longer a formidable foe but a conquered chapter in Nigeria’s history.
With such visionary leadership from Emmanuel, the Geneith Health Competition stands as a testament to the power of youth engagement in the ongoing battle against malaria, embodying potential solutions that can create a healthier future for all Nigerians.
