The Lagos State government has launched the Public Enlightenment and Media Engagement Campaign on Malaria Prevention and Management under the World Bank funded Malaria IMPACT Project.
The campaign, unveiled in partnership with the Society for Family Health (SFH), aims to drive behavioral change and push the state closer to full malaria pre-elimination.
Speaking at the launch in Ikeja, Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, Managing Director of SFH, described the initiative as a defining moment in Lagos’ public health journey.
He explained that the campaign is anchored on four key pillars: Prevent, Test, Treat, and Track, designed to equip citizens and health workers with the right tools for informed health decisions.
Dr. Idogho cautioned residents against self-treatment without proper diagnosis, stressing that more than 90 percent of fever cases in the state are now caused by illnesses other than malaria.
He also urged patients to complete their prescribed doses of Artemisinin based Combination Therapy (ACTs) to curb drug resistance.
Also speaking, Dr. Abimbola Osinowo, Lagos State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, said the campaign demonstrated what could be achieved through political will and cross-sector collaboration.
She emphasized the importance of consistent messaging across media and community platforms.
Dr. Osinowo further called on citizens, religious leaders, and civil society to take ownership of the fight by keeping their surroundings clean, sleeping under treated nets, demanding testing before treatment, and completing medications.
Written by Gladys Haruna