Malaria: Nigeria Bears 30% of the Global Burden

Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has highlighted the persistent challenge of malaria in Nigeria, calling for a review of the country’s strategies to combat the disease. Despite implementing programs to eliminate malaria for 70 years, Nigeria still bears 30 per cent of the global burden, with an estimated 68 million cases and 190,000 deaths in 2021.

In a meeting with the Malaria Alliance, RBM Malaria Partnership, and WHO Global Malaria Programme, Mr Pate emphasized the need to reassess efforts and mobilize resources to eliminate malaria, noting the lack of significant progress despite decades of efforts.

The health ministry, in collaboration with partners, is considering initiatives anchored on the Presidential Initiative to eradicate malaria from the country. These initiatives include developing domestic manufacturing of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), generic pharmaceuticals, introducing safe and cost-effective vaccines, and potentially mosquito-repellent products.

Mr Pate stressed the importance of using newer evidence-based tools, quality data systems, and strengthening collaborations to develop modalities suitable for Nigeria and the African continent. The sector-wide approach aims to improve governance, coverage resources, align efforts, and amplify the impact on health outcomes.

To strengthen the primary healthcare system for malaria testing and early treatment, especially for children and antenatal mothers, initiatives are underway. President Bola Tinubu’s support as the African Union Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery includes retraining 120,000 frontline health workers. Additionally, the number of functional primary health centers in Nigeria will nearly double from 8,800 to over 17,000 over the next three years as part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme.

Mr Pate emphasized the crucial moment for Nigeria’s health sector, expressing confidence in the country’s political will, human health resources, coalition of partners, and tools to save millions of lives and offer good returns on development investments.

Premium Times