By Rosheedat Akinkunle, JKNewsMedia Reporter
A DECISIVE step has been taken in Lagos State in its battle against malaria.
This, the government says, is in moving towards a tech-driven strategy to curb the deadly disease that claims 200,000 lives annually in Nigeria.
The State has launched the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to leverage digital technology and public-private collaboration to tackle malaria more effectively.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu formally unveiled the initiative, which is supported by the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), Maisha Meds, and other international partners.
This innovative programme aims to enhance diagnostic precision, improve case management, and connect patients to social health insurance schemes.
With this move, Lagos has become the first sub-national entity in Nigeria to transition to a digitised malaria prevention system.
The launch of this initiative coincides with the conclusion of the World Bank-funded Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, set to end in December 2025.
Despite Lagos having the lowest malaria burden in the country at 2.6 per cent, the State still records approximately 900,000 malaria cases annually, underscoring the need for sustained and strategic interventions.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described malaria as a “socio-economic burden” that drains household incomes, reduces workforce productivity, and disrupts education. He emphasised that eradicating the disease is both a health necessity and an economic imperative.
“For many households with modest incomes in Lagos, malaria treatment can consume up to three per cent of their monthly earnings. This financial burden forces families to choose between healthcare and other basic needs such as food and education.
“The economic impact extends to businesses suffering absenteeism, schools witnessing lower attendance rates, and an overburdened healthcare system dealing with preventable cases.”
Sanwo-Olu stressed that the success of this programme would translate into significant economic gains, boosting productivity, improving education outcomes, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Lagosians.
“Today, we are rewriting the narrative by leveraging digital tools that ensure malaria cases are tracked in real-time. This programme represents hope through innovation, collaboration, and determination. The eradication of malaria is not just a health goal; it is an economic imperative,” he stated.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiak Salako, commended Lagos for its comprehensive malaria elimination strategy, asserting that the State has demonstrated a capacity for total eradication.
He also reassured that changes in global healthcare funding, particularly from the United States, would not hinder Nigeria’s progress in tackling malaria.
Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, highlighted the State’s consistent victories against malaria over the past 15 years, attributing the success to improved diagnosis, immunisation, and effective treatments.
“Through intensive programmatic efforts, malaria prevalence in Lagos has declined from 15 per cent in 2010 to 10 per cent in 2015, and now stands at 2.6 per cent in 2025.
Despite this progress, malaria remains a significant public health issue in Lagos, with around 900,000 cases recorded annually. Over 50 per cent of outpatient visits in public health facilities are due to febrile illnesses presumed to be malaria.”
Prof. Abayomi further outlined Lagos’ strategy for malaria pre-elimination, emphasising the role of political commitment, infrastructural transformation, human resource development, digital interventions, and sustainable health financing through insurance schemes.
He expressed confidence that Lagos, with the support of donors and private sector partners, is on the right trajectory towards achieving its malaria eradication objectives.
