LAGOS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian federal government has envisaged that by 2013, malaria will no longer be a major public health problem while families will have universal access to prevention and treatment, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Monday.

    According to a document prepared by the National Malaria Control Program of the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, this will lead to the achievement of the long-term vision of a free-malaria Nigeria.

    The document's goal is to reduce by half malaria-related morbidity and mortality by 2010 and to sustain the level to 2013 to minimize the socio-economic impact of the disease.

    "It is also to achieve the relevant Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of combating malaria by 2015," it stated.

    The document added that the strategic plan addresses national health and development priorities, including the Roll Back Malariagoals as well as the MDGs, including demonstrable performance results.

    According to the document, activities will be implemented in a broad partnership involving all sectors of the society, from the various levels of the government, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders and the private sector.

    "Community involvement and empowerment will be a key cornerstone of this strategic plan,'' the document stated.

    It said the plan provides a monitoring and evaluation framework, ensuring that Nigeria has evidenced-based and cost-effective package of interventions that is appropriately evaluated and documented.

    It highlighted factors promoting the spread of malaria to include inadequate financial support to malaria control efforts, weak health systems, spreading drug resistance, rapid and uncontrolled urban development activities as well as socio-cultural practices.

    Others comprise poor treatment-seeking behaviors and poor perception of the magnitude of the malaria burden.