A leading indigenous pharmaceutical company, Miral Pharm Ltd has further affirmed its commitment to malaria eradication in Nigeria with delightful announcement of the commencement of call for Ravimal Essay Series 2, an initiative at ‘ending Malaria for Good.’

President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), His Excellency, Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai said at a press conference to announce the call for entry of the essay competition in Lagos, that the essay is open to all Pharmacy students in Nigerian Universities and all young practicing pharmacists.

According to him, the Prizes to be won include N500,000 for the first prize, N300,000 for the second prize and N200,000 for the third prize winner.

Also, Deans’ of Pharmacy schools will not be left out as Dean of the Pharmacy School with the highest number of participant and Dean of the Pharmacy school that produced the winner will have the privilege of going home with N500,000 each even as consolation prizes will also be won.

He expressed delight at the tripartite partnership with Miral Pharm Ltd ,the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Young Pharmacists Group at mobilising the young Pharmacists and Pharmacy students to write on the topic ‘Ready to Beat Malaria: Challenges & Opportunities’.

He said to enter the competition; participants are required to register and submit essays at the website, www.miralpharm.com/essay, adding, “The registration and submission is expected to end on Monday, June 25, 2018.”

Speaking on the need for total eradication of malaria in the continent, Yakasai decried the fact that the $37m given by global funds for the provision of mosquito nets was not to be invested in the country as these nets were imported from outside the country. This, he said, is a challenge to manufacturers.

He called for government and manufacturers to seriously engage in research and development as a measure to eradicate malaria scourge.

In his opening address, the Managing Director, Miral Pharm Ltd, Pharm. Onyeka Onyeibor stated that he is hopeful that the essays will uncover actionable research interests and as such, Miral Pharm is favourably disposed to supporting such research efforts.

He noted that through the ‘Ravimal Essay Competition Project’, Miral Pharm Ltd intends to encourage thinking and improve expressions amongst young people as well as contribute knowledge to the nation’s research base.

“At Miral Pharm, we value people, excellence, courage and goodness thus; we are committed to encouraging people to be the best they can be. We take pride in investing in the lives of the next generation by empowering them with what they need to take on this stride,” Onyeka stated.

He noted that according to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated report; about 3.4 billion people live in areas with high risk for the transmission of malaria. Also, he stated, reports have it that Nigeria accounts for the highest proportions of malaria cases and deaths all over the world. “This is far from the expectation of the World Health Organization in the eradication of malaria. In the process of elimination of malaria, pre-elimination stage is expected to observe less than 1 case per 1000 persons and achieving this great feat in the eradication of malaria involves a conscious effort that requires research and collaborations,” he noted.

Onyeka said that Miral Pharm presented a set of Miral First Aid Kit each to Oshodi Senior High School and Oshodi Junior High School, a Laptop to the overall Prize Winner of Ravimal Ends Malaria for Good essay competition to Oluwakemi Abiodun of Oshodi Senior High School and First Prize Winner Ravimal Ends Malaria for Good, Sanni Khadijat of Oshodi Junior High School as part of the its activities to commemorate the 2018 World Malaria Day.

It could be recalled that Miral Pharm, commenced a call for essays in 2017 from the students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with the topic ‘End Malaria for Good’, in a bid to promote the WHO initiative.

•Photo shows, L-R; Managing Director Miral Pharm Ltd. Pharm Onyeka Onyeibor, President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai and President, the Young Pharmacists Group (YPG), Hanson Ekomobong at the media briefing on 2018 World Malaria Day/ unveiling of Ravimal Essay Series II.

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