WMD: Lagos boasts of winning Malaria at 1.3% malaria case, targets pre-elimination prevalence stage

The Commissioner of Health, Lagos State, Professor Akin Abayomi, has announced to Lagos residents that the state is winning the fight against malaria, as early research shows that Lagos state now boasts of 1.3percent malaria prevalence cases.

This was related to everyone during the World Malaria Day commemoration program held in Lagos state, today, Themed: “Malaria ends with us: Re-invest, Reimagine, Reignite”, 'Stay Committed’.

In his keynote lecture, the Commissioner expressed that It is the intention of the Lagos state Governor to make Malaria a thing of the past. While spelling out the theme- “malaria ends with us”, he noted the relevance of public awareness, advising for a change in practice against treating fever as malaria without correct diagnosis.

“As regards Pre Elimination threshold which is to achieve very low transmission of malaria at the prevalence of 1% case, Prof. Akin fetched data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Malaria prevalence chart, which signaled Malaria cases from 40% and above as high transmission
10-39% as moderate; 1-9% low transmission and 1% as preelimination which the Commissioner eyed as the Lagos State Target for malaria prevalence.

He Emphasized that Africa carries the highest burden of malaria cases with Nigeria having the highest case- 31.9% in the continent, while Congo follows with 13.2%. Therefore, he disclosed “Lagos implements the important principle of diagnosis and treatment through the Test, Treat, Track strategy.

“We are winning the Malaria fight in Lagos. As at 2010, we had 15 percent positive cases out of 100, in 2015 it reduced to 10 percent, in 2023 it dwindled to 3%. Our Target is to get to preelimination prevalence stage and eradicate it completely” he said. Although he stated that some clinics in Lagos still give malaria treatment to 50% negative patients without tests, according to research.

However, the Commissioner revealed that recent research statistics has shown that Lagos is now down to 1.3% malaria prevalence case. “We are launching the digitalization of malaria through SHIP to ensure we bring malaria to zero in lagos” he said. While expressing his hope for the case to dwindle more below 1percent. He revealed that the Ministry of Health has been vested with the mandate by the governor to take Lagos to the preelimination level, under the impact project with the support of Pharmacy council of Nigeria, WHO and others.

The Commissioner called on Community leaders, policy makers, citizens, Development partners, corporate organizations and every Lagos resident
to make efforts towards the prevention of Malaria through Environmental sanitation, sleeping under treated nets, avoid keeping stagnant water and getting the right diagnosis, “If you have fever, go for a test. The health workers will test, treat and track to ensure the Malaria doesn't spread” he advised.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on health, Dr. Mrs Kemi Ogunyemi in her Goodwill message expressed that the campaign raises sensitization about malaria in accordance with this year's theme.

She noted that Africa continents have 94 percent cases and 95 percent deaths involving many children and women, hence the need to invest in the campaign against Malaria. “We are tackling Malaria in marginalized Communities, using technologies to test, detect and treat it

“We need to strengthen our health system to fight Malaria and let the whole world know what is going on. Everyday we fight against malaria, prevention is better than cure. Get tested before you are treated” She encouraged all.

Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. olusegun Ogboye, stressed that it is important for everyone to identify the part he or She can play towards the reduction of malaria cases as well as spreading the gospel against Malaria. “If you have a fever, you have a choice to test or get an antimalaria drug, you spend less when you test and know what to treat.

He reiterated the relevance of health insurance scheme and disclosed that it is now manadatory in Nigeria for everyone to have health insurance. “I look forward to we having 0.1percent malaria prevalence case next year” he prayed.