Lagos targets malaria elimination as mid-term review shows major gains

Lagos State may be on the brink of moving from malaria control to complete elimination of the parasite, according to a report released on Thursday.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed that about 40,000 malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (mRDTs) conducted by Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) and Community Pharmacies (CPs) showed a strikingly low positivity rate. He said this signalled the State’s readiness to progress from managing malaria to eradicating it entirely.

Abayomi presented the update during the mid-term review of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-elimination and Digitisation Programme in Lagos, telling partners and stakeholders that data from public health facilities equally reflected sustained declines in positivity rates. He noted that this coherence across data sources reaffirmed the strength of the State’s approach.

The findings drew enthusiastic reactions from partners working with the government on the World Bank-funded Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, who pledged further backing to consolidate the progress.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, addressing the gathering, said the digitisation programme had given Lagos a measurable target, accelerating efforts to reduce malaria prevalence to pre-elimination levels. He explained that the State was working towards achieving a prevalence rate below one per cent, with renewed focus on accurate diagnostics, consistent treatment, and sustained public awareness.

By deploying real-time reporting systems and digital platforms across both public and private facilities, the Governor said delays in diagnosis, reporting, and response would be eliminated.

“When the Pathway to Malaria Pre-elimination and Digitisation Programme was launched in March, we had a clear ambition: to turn aspiration into tangible results and move Lagos from a high burden of malaria towards pre-elimination, paving the way for a malaria-free future. The mid-term review is crucial to achieving this and ensuring our interventions have lasting impact,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He credited the IMPACT Project, supported by the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, with providing both funding and technical assistance, enabling Lagos to expand key activities at priority points of care and strengthen monitoring mechanisms.

The Governor also pointed to partnerships with private firms, which had enhanced diagnostic accuracy, standardised treatment, and brought private providers into the State’s surveillance system. These measures, he said, had enabled quicker responses and better resource allocation.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the mid-term review centred on three critical pillars: making information accessible through digitised reporting, expanding intervention coverage while safeguarding quality, and deepening community participation. He cautioned that while scale was important, the quality of treatment must not be compromised.

He called on residents to play their part in tackling breeding grounds for mosquitoes, use treated nets, and test before taking antimalarial medication.

“To all Lagosians, this fight is as much yours as it is mine. Every simple action matters, from clearing stagnant water to seeking proper diagnosis. If each of us takes responsibility, we will move steadily towards eliminating malaria and ensuring it no longer troubles our communities,” the Governor said.

Abayomi added that the Ministry of Health had intensified regulation and quality assurance, with the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) stepping up oversight to close service delivery gaps and promote equity across public and private health care.

“Together, we are consolidating gains and building irreversible momentum. With unity of purpose and courage of conviction, Lagos will continue scaling its efforts and move closer to the ultimate prize: a future free from the scourge of malaria,” the Commissioner said.