National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Chibuzor Alli, LAGOS |
The Lagos State Government has unveiled the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination & Digitization Programme, a bold initiative aimed at drastically reducing malaria cases through digital innovation, improved case management, and stronger public-private partnerships.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the programme as a major step toward reducing malaria prevalence in Lagos to less than 1%.
Despite having a lower malaria burden than many other states, Lagos still records an estimated 900,000 malaria cases annually, with over 50% of general outpatient visits linked to febrile illnesses presumed to be malaria.
Prof. Abayomi highlighted the economic impact of malaria, which contributes to work and school absenteeism, lower productivity, and increased healthcare expenses for families.
He stressed that a key component of the programme is the integration of digital health solutions to enhance malaria surveillance and treatment across the state.
Mandatory Testing Before Malaria Treatment
One of the critical reforms introduced by the programme is compulsory Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDTs) before malaria treatment. Prof. Abayomi noted that many Lagos residents self-diagnose and take anti-malarial drugs without proper testing, leading to misdiagnosis and drug resistance.
“This initiative will ensure that only confirmed malaria cases receive anti-malarial treatment, reducing the misuse of antibiotics and preventing drug resistance,” he said.
To strengthen malaria case management, the government has partnered with Maisha Meds, a digital health platform, to deploy real-time electronic malaria reporting systems in public and private health facilities, ensuring accurate and timely data collection.
Expanding Malaria Care Beyond Government Hospitals
Recognizing that a large percentage of malaria cases are treated outside government hospitals, the programme will integrate community pharmacies, patent medicine vendors, and private hospitals into Lagos’ malaria control system.
The government is also working with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) to standardize malaria treatment 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,” Prof. Abayomi stated.
Incorporating Malaria Treatment into Health Insurance
To make malaria treatment more accessible, the programme will be integrated into the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, Ilera Eko, ensuring affordability for residents.
“Registered enrollees will be able to receive malaria tests and treatment at little or no cost, reducing the financial burden on families and encouraging prompt healthcare-seeking behavior,” the Commissioner said.
Official Launch on March 4, 2025
The official launch of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitization Programme will take place on March 4, 2025, at Eko Hotel, Lagos.
The event will be attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, and NMEP.
Prof. Abayomi urged residents, healthcare providers, and stakeholders to support the initiative, emphasizing that malaria elimination requires collective effort.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, also underscored the importance of changing public attitudes toward fever management and malaria treatment.
She called on pharmacists and patent medicine vendors to comply with the new testing protocols and support the government’s efforts to standardize malaria treatment across Lagos.
With this initiative, Lagos is setting a new standard for malaria control in Nigeria, taking a decisive step toward a malaria-free future.
