By Peter Emmanuel |
The Lagos State Government has stepped up its malaria elimination drive following a sharp decline in malaria prevalence to below two per cent across the state, marking one of its most significant public health achievements in recent years.
Officials say the development reflects years of sustained investment in disease surveillance, environmental sanitation, and improved healthcare delivery systems aimed at reducing the burden of malaria in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, said the decline is also linked to strengthened testing protocols, improved data tracking, and targeted interventions across communities and health facilities.
He explained that the state’s approach is increasingly guided by evidence, especially following findings that most fever cases treated as malaria were not actually malaria-related.
According to him, the government is now focusing on consolidating these gains through stricter enforcement of malaria testing before treatment, alongside expanded public awareness campaigns to ensure residents understand that not all fever cases are caused by malaria.
Nigeria Accounts for Major Share of Global Malaria Cases
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, has disclosed that Africa still accounts for about 95 per cent of global malaria cases, while Nigeria contributes approximately 27 per cent of the global burden.
He said the figures highlight the continued public health challenge posed by malaria across the continent and within Nigeria.
Abayomi made the disclosure during a symposium organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium.
He noted that despite the heavy national burden, there are emerging signs of improvement in some regions due to targeted health interventions and sustained investments in healthcare delivery systems.
He added that strengthening prevention strategies, improving access to treatment, and enhancing surveillance remain key to reducing Nigeria’s share of the global malaria burden.
Lagos Records Steady Decline to About 2% as Study Finds 95% of Fevers Not Malaria
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, also revealed that about 95 per cent of fever-related cases in Lagos are no longer caused by malaria. He described the finding as a major turning point in the state’s health response strategy.
According to him, the result emerged from extensive studies showing that most fever cases previously treated as malaria were actually caused by other illnesses. The study has since reshaped how fever cases are diagnosed and managed across health facilities in the state.
The symposium, themed “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must,” highlighted Lagos’ progress through improved surveillance systems, environmental sanitation, better diagnostics, and evidence-based healthcare policies aimed at reducing malaria transmission.
Abayomi explained that malaria prevalence in Lagos has steadily declined over the years from about 15 per cent fifteen years ago, to 10 per cent a decade ago, and now to roughly two per cent. He attributed the progress to sustained investments in healthcare systems and targeted interventions across the state.
78,000-Person Study Drives ‘No Treatment Without Testing’ Policy
The Lagos State Government has strengthened its malaria response following concerns over continued cases of presumptive treatment of malaria without proper laboratory confirmation in some health facilities across the state.
To address the challenge, the state conducted a large-scale study involving over 78,000 residents who presented with fever symptoms across 514 healthcare facilities. These facilities included public and private hospitals, pharmacies, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors, and Primary Health Centers.
Findings from the study revealed that only five per cent of tested individuals actually had malaria, while the remaining 95 per cent were suffering from other underlying conditions. The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, described the outcome as a major turning point in how fever cases are understood and managed in the state.
Abayomi said the findings fundamentally changed the state’s approach to malaria management, noting that most patients previously treated for malaria did not actually have the disease. He said this led to the introduction of a strict “No Treatment Without Testing” policy to improve accuracy in diagnosis and treatment.
He also warned against indiscriminate use of antimalarial drugs, stressing that such practices contribute to misconceptions about drug resistance and undermine effective treatment protocols.
Lagos Expands Digital Surveillance and Prevention Strategy
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, says Lagos State has adopted a comprehensive “Prevent, Test, Treat and Track” strategy aimed at sustaining recent gains in malaria control across the state.
He explained that the approach combines mandatory malaria testing, treatment only for confirmed cases, and digital tracking of positive cases to identify transmission hotspots and support targeted elimination of mosquito breeding sites.
Also speaking at the symposium, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to evidence-based healthcare interventions under the THEMES+ Agenda. She urged residents to support environmental sanitation efforts and consistently embrace malaria testing before treatment.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dayo Lajide, disclosed that more than 978,000 malaria cases were treated across public and private health facilities in 2025, driven by improved surveillance and reporting systems.
She added that the state had digitized 514 private healthcare providers in partnership with the World Health Organization to strengthen data collection, monitoring, and response systems.
Stakeholders at the symposium pledged continued collaboration to sustain investments, strengthen surveillance, and deepen community engagement towards achieving a malaria-free Lagos.
Share this
