LAGOS GOVERNMENT TARGETS MALARIA ELIMINATION THROUGH IMPACT PROJECT
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts toward malaria elimination, urging residents to embrace proper testing before treatment as malaria prevalence in the state has dropped to below two per cent, placing Lagos on the path to pre-elimination.
The renewed campaign was highlighted during a symposium organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium under the theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must.”
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described malaria as one of the world’s biggest public health concerns, noting that about 260 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths are recorded globally each year.
He stated that Africa accounts for 95 per cent of malaria cases worldwide, while Nigeria contributes about 27 per cent of the global burden, making it one of the countries most affected by the disease.
Despite Lagos’ coastal environment and numerous water bodies that encourage mosquito breeding, Abayomi said the state has consistently maintained malaria prevalence below two per cent through strategic investments in surveillance, environmental management, and evidence-based public health interventions.
According to him, malaria prevalence in Lagos has reduced significantly over the years, falling from about 15 per cent fifteen years ago to roughly two per cent today, which he described as proof that the state is making steady progress against malaria transmission.
The commissioner explained that the government became concerned after discovering that many health facilities were still diagnosing and treating patients for malaria despite declining prevalence data.
To address the issue, the state conducted one of the largest malaria studies in Nigeria in collaboration with partners including the National Malaria Elimination Programme, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors.
He revealed that more than 78,000 residents with fever symptoms were tested across 514 facilities using Rapid Diagnostic Tests with 98 per cent accuracy, and findings showed that only five per cent actually tested positive for malaria.
Abayomi said the discovery revealed that most fever-related illnesses in Lagos were not caused by malaria, prompting the state to adopt a strict “No Treatment Without Testing” policy.
He stressed that antimalarial drugs remain effective when used for confirmed cases, adding that wrong diagnosis often creates the false impression that malaria medications no longer work.
The commissioner further explained that Lagos now operates a “Prevent, Test, Treat and Track” strategy focused on mandatory testing, treatment of confirmed cases, and digital tracking of infections to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding hotspots.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the symposium provided an opportunity to renew commitments toward ending malaria, adding that although the state had recorded progress, environmental conditions and population density still contribute to disease transmission.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment under the THEMES+ Agenda to strengthen vector control, sanitation, surveillance, diagnosis, treatment access, and community engagement.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, noted that Lagos had moved beyond malaria control to malaria elimination through innovation, digital systems, and strategic partnerships.
She disclosed that over 978,000 malaria cases were treated across public and private health facilities in 2025, attributing the figure to improved data tracking systems.
The State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Dr. Abimbola Osinowo, said the IMPACT Project launched in 2024 had transformed malaria response efforts through free rapid testing, access to treatment, strengthened surveillance, and public awareness campaigns.
Development partners including the Society for Family Health and the World Health Organization commended Lagos for expanding rapid diagnostic testing and promoting the “Test Before You Treat” policy.
Stakeholders at the symposium resolved to sustain investments, strengthen surveillance systems, improve community participation, and intensify coordinated actions toward achieving a malaria-free Lagos State.
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