The Lagos State Government has announced a plan to reduce malaria prevalence below 1% through the launch of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination & Digitization Program.
According to the State, it’s an ambitious initiative designed to accelerate malaria elimination through digital innovations, strengthened case management, and enhanced public-private partnerships.
Speaking at a high-level press briefing held at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasized that the program is a crucial step towards reducing malaria prevalence to below 1%, marking a significant leap towards disease eradication in Lagos.
“Lagos is already leading the way with a malaria prevalence of under 3%, far below the national average. With this initiative, we are taking decisive steps to eliminate malaria altogether and ensure that every fever is properly diagnosed and treated using a scientific and digitalized approach,” Prof. Abayomi stated.
He explained that despite its relatively low malaria prevalence compared to other states in Nigeria, Lagos still records an estimated 900,000 malaria cases annually, with febrile illnesses presumed to be malaria contributing to over 50% of general outpatient visits in public health facilities.
Prof. Abayomi highlighted the economic toll of malaria, which results in absenteeism from work and school, decreased productivity, and increased household healthcare costs.
“Malaria is not just a health issue; it is a social and economic problem. The cost of treating malaria, combined with the indirect costs of lost productivity, runs into billions of naira annually. A malaria-free Lagos is a stronger, more prosperous Lagos,” he added.
Digital health solutions to strengthen malaria surveillance
Prof. Abayomi disclosed that a key pillar of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitization Program is the integration of digital health solutions to optimize malaria surveillance and case management.
- He noted that through a collaboration with Maisha Meds, a digital health platform, Lagos will deploy real-time electronic malaria reporting systems across public and private health facilities, ensuring swift and accurate data collection.
- While adding that the initiative will also facilitate the use of digital diagnostic tools to improve accuracy in malaria testing, the Commissioner disclosed that many patients in Lagos receive anti-malarial treatment without proper testing, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
“The new program mandates compulsory rapid diagnostic testing (RDTs) before any malaria treatment is administered. This initiative will ensure that only confirmed malaria cases receive anti-malarial treatment. It will also reduce the misuse of antibiotics, which is a major driver of drug resistance,” Prof. Abayomi noted.
- Given that a significant portion of malaria cases in Lagos are treated outside government hospitals, the Commissioner stated that the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitization Program will integrate community pharmacies, patent medicine vendors, and private hospitals into the state’s malaria control network.
- He added that the Lagos State Government is working closely with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) to standardize treatment protocols across all healthcare providers.
“This means that, whether a patient seeks treatment at a public hospital, private clinic, or neighborhood pharmacy, they will receive the same high-quality malaria diagnosis and treatment based on the state’s guidelines”, he said.
Shifting public perception on malaria diagnosis
The Commissioner noted that a major behavioral shift that this program aims to achieve is changing public perception of fever and malaria diagnosis.
- He explained that many Lagos residents self-diagnose malaria and purchase anti-malarial drugs without testing. He stressed that moving forward, every fever must be properly diagnosed before treatment.
“Not every fever is malaria. Many fevers are caused by bacterial or viral infections that require different treatments. With this initiative, we are discouraging self-medication and encouraging Lagosians to get tested before taking any medication,” he emphasized.
- Prof. Abayomi disclosed that the program is integrating malaria care into Lagos State’s health insurance scheme, Ilera Eko, to ensure affordability and accessibility of malaria treatment.
“This means that registered enrollees can receive malaria tests and treatment at little or no cost, reducing the financial burden on families and encouraging prompt healthcare-seeking behaviour”, he said.
Prof. Abayomi disclosed that the program will be formally launched at Eko Hotel, Lagos, on March 4, 2025, in a high-profile event to be attended by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, along with key stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, and National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).
