Lagos Moves To Reduce Malaria Prevalence To Less Than 1%

Lagos State government has set its sights on reducing malaria prevalence to less than one percent in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this announcement on Thursday during the mid-term review of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-elimination and Digitisation Programme, an initiative aimed at shifting the state from malaria control to complete elimination.

The governor described the initiative as a bold, data-driven strategy that leverages technology, targeted healthcare delivery, and community participation.

According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos is moving with purpose to transform what was once a hopeful ambition into measurable progress.

He noted that the programme has created a framework for enhancing diagnostic precision, improving treatment consistency, and integrating real-time data reporting from both public and private health facilities.

Citing recent data, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, revealed that approximately 40,000 malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (mRDTs) conducted through Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors and Community Pharmacies have shown a significantly low positivity rate.

The findings, he said, reflect a consistent trend observed in public healthcare facilities, suggesting that Lagos is nearing the threshold required to move into the pre-elimination phase of malaria management.

The programme is supported by the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank under the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the backing from both national and international partners has not only provided funding but also critical technical support to expand and strengthen intervention activities across the healthcare system.

The governor explained that digitised reporting systems now enable faster detection, better coordination, and more accurate allocation of resources. These systems also ensure transparency and accountability in monitoring the spread and treatment of malaria.

He emphasised the importance of adhering to standardised treatment protocols and warned that while scaling up is essential, the quality of care must not be compromised.

“When the Pathway to Malaria Pre-elimination and Digitisation Programme was kicked off in March, we had a clear goal in mind: to transform hope into tangible results and to shift Lagos from a high burden of malaria to pre-elimination, which will ultimately pave the way for a malaria-free future. The mid-term review is a crucial step in making that ambition a reality and ensuring we have a lasting impact,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“Through partnerships with innovative companies, we are enhancing diagnostic accuracy, standardising case management, and integrating private providers into the state surveillance system. These initiatives enable the State to respond more swiftly and allocate resources where they are needed most.

“This programme has set a clear, measurable goal for us, as we aim to reduce malaria prevalence to pre-elimination levels; specifically, below 1 per cent, by improving diagnostics, ensuring consistent treatment, and engaging the community at large.”

Sanwo-Olu called on all Lagosians to take ownership of the fight against malaria, noting that small actions—such as eliminating standing water, using treated mosquito nets, and getting tested before taking antimalarials—can lead to significant change.

He stressed that a united effort between government, health workers, and the public is vital to achieving the ambitious goal.

“To all Lagosians, this fight is just as much yours as it is mine. Every little action counts, whether it is getting rid of standing water, using treated nets when needed, or getting tested before taking antimalarials. These small steps can lead to significant change.

“Residents must set an example for our health workers by testing, recording, treating properly, and reporting. If each of us plays our part, we will make great strides toward eliminating malaria and reaching a point where it is no longer a common issue in our State,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The mid-term review also focused on identifying surveillance hotspots, retraining healthcare providers, improving test-before-treatment practices, and fully integrating malaria data into the State’s central health dashboard.

Abayomi reiterated the State’s commitment to regulatory oversight through the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), which continues to enforce quality standards across all levels of care.

Lagos Moves To Reduce Malaria Prevalence To Less Than 1% is first published on The Whistler Newspaper