Yemisi Dada
As Nigeria joins the globe to mark World Malaria Day, the Lagos State Government has urged residents and stakeholders to work collectively to reduce the prevalence of Malaria to less than one percent in the state by practicing safe environmental sanitation, sleep under mosquito nets and ensure appropriate diagnostic test before treatments.
Commissioner For Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, made the call at a Media and Stakeholders Engagement to commemorate the day at Alausa with the theme: “Malaria Ends with Us; Re-invest, Reimagine, Reignite”.
Professor Abayomi who said the day was to highlight the importance of sustained commitment, innovation, and collaboration in the fight to eliminate malaria, hinted that Lagos is on the pathway to malaria elimination and eradication through the development of its Smart Health Information Platform, SHIP, initiative.
According to him, SHIP is a digital initiative to ensure accurate data as well as ensuring access to accurate diagnosis to win the fight against malaria, with a call on medical professionals to believe in data in ensuring the right diagnosis before treatments.
“Lagos is well on track to achieve malaria pre-elimination status with a prevalence rate currently at 1.3% and fast approaching pre-elimination as defined by the WHO”
“Lagos has transitioned from 15% malaria prevalence in 2010 to just 3% in 2023. Now, as of March-April 2025, the most recent data shows that we are at an encouraging 1.3% prevalence rate,” declared Professor Abayomi. “This means Lagos is clearly on the path to malaria pre-elimination, a historic milestone in our public health journey.”
Describing malaria as a vector-borne disease transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis and the use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy for confirmed cases. “Early detection and correct treatment not only protect the infected person but prevent further transmission of the parasite to others,” he explained, stressing the need for citizens to trust malaria test results and avoid over-treatment.
He noted that vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five must remain a key focus. “Their immune systems are either underdeveloped or compromised. We must ensure that every case of fever is properly tested and every confirmed case is properly treated, especially in these groups.” He also highlighted the state’s partnership with the World Health Organization, Federal Ministry of Health, and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria under the IMPACT Project as critical to Lagos’s push toward malaria elimination.
The Commissioner highlighted Lagos State’s 15-year commitment to the National Malaria Strategic Plan and acknowledged the roles played by previous Health Commissioners and dedicated public health workers. “This trajectory of success has been built through consistent testing, proper treatment, and robust data tracking,” he noted.
Professor Abayomi commended the vision and political will of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has officially mandated the Ministry to lead the state into pre-elimination and, eventually, full eradication. “Mr. Governor has officially endorsed the malaria pre-elimination agenda. This is not just a declaration, it is a commitment backed by data, resources, and strong political will. We are proud that Lagos is leading the way in Nigeria and on the continent in rewriting the malaria narrative. With strong partnerships and sound policies, we are building a sustainable, evidence-driven pathway to a malaria-free Lagos,” he said.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, reiterated the importance of community engagement, awareness, and behaviour change. “The battle against malaria cannot be won solely in clinics and laboratories; it must be fought in our homes, schools, markets, and media spaces,” she said during her goodwill remarks.
Dr. Ogunyemi applauded development partners like Society for Family Health and Goodknight for their consistent support, especially in awareness creation and vector control.
She urged the media to remain steadfast allies in disseminating accurate health information. “You are the bridge between science and society. Help us educate Lagosians that not all fevers are malaria, and not all mosquitoes are equal,” she concluded.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, urged participants to see themselves as advocates for malaria elimination and make wise health and economic choices in malaria prevention and treatment. “If you have a fever, get tested first. Only about 1.3 to 3 percent of fevers are actually malaria. So, 97 percent of people buying antimalarials may be wasting money,” he said.
He stressed the importance of leveraging the Ilera Eko Health Insurance scheme to access subsidized malaria testing and treatment, adding, “Let’s make our being here today count by spreading this knowledge in our communities, workplaces, and schools.”
In his remarks, Dr. Stanley Ugah, Project Director of the Society for Family Health, IMPACT Project, reiterated SFH’s alignment with the State Government’s “Test Before Treatment” policy. He noted that unnecessary antimalarial use without diagnosis is a major concern, and SFH supports the provision of quality-assured test kits and medications.
“We want to be part of the historic moment when Lagos is declared malaria-free,” he said. He added that through World Bank support, SFH is training healthcare providers and working with communities to raise awareness and strengthen grassroots malaria case management.
In her remarks, the Public Health Physician for the Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitization Project at Maisha Meds, Dr. Simisola Alabi, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to malaria eradication in Lagos State. Representing the Country Manager of Maisha Meds, Dr. Alabi explained that the organization is working in close partnership with the Lagos State Government to accelerate the journey towards malaria pre-elimination through technology-driven solutions.
“Our key message is to test before you treat. We’re empowering Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors, Community Pharmacists, and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to properly diagnose and manage malaria cases,” she stated. Dr. Alabi highlighted that Maisha Meds operates in over 4,700 sites across Africa and is leveraging digital technology to address gaps in healthcare delivery.
She praised Lagos State for its forward-thinking approach and reiterated the importance of innovation in public health. “Technology is powerful, and with Lagos State’s commitment to progress, we are confident that we can bring the malaria burden down to less than one percent and eventually eliminate it entirely,” she said.
Also speaking, the Assistant Public Health Officer for the World Health Organization (WHO), Aisha Abdulkareem, highlighted global trends and the urgent need for renewed commitment. She said, “An estimated 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths have been averted globally in the last two decades, but progress has stalled.” She cited climate change, conflict, and economic instability as major threats to malaria control efforts, calling on all stakeholders to “reinvest in proven interventions, reimagine strategies, and reignite global and local commitment.” According to her, “Ending malaria is not just a health goal; it’s an investment in a safer, more prosperous future for all.”
Earlier, there was an awareness walk with a colourful procession of health workers, volunteers, and partners through the Lagos State Government Secretariat and Alausa community, distributing educational materials and engaging the public on prevention strategies.