Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alongside the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, on Tuesday, launched the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme in Lagos.
The initiative aims to revolutionize malaria control in the state through digital innovation and strategic public-private partnerships. Addressing a distinguished audience of global partners, policymakers, health practitioners, and pharmaceutical stakeholders, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the socioeconomic burden of malaria, noting that it hampers productivity, drains household incomes, and disrupts education, particularly among low-income earners.
Sanwo-Olu underscored the economic necessity of malaria eradication, stating that eliminating the disease could significantly boost Lagos’ GDP. He urged residents to adopt a “test-before-treatment” approach, warning against self-diagnosis and the assumption that all fevers are malaria-related. He also praised the integration of digital tools in the program, which will enable real-time tracking of malaria cases, thereby enhancing intervention efficiency.
The Governor called on government agencies, healthcare providers, community leaders, and citizens to collaborate in the fight against malaria. While acknowledging that success may not come overnight, he expressed confidence that sustained efforts would lead to a malaria-free Lagos.
He commended the Lagos State Ministry of Health and its partners for their transparent data presentation and ongoing efforts to meet the 2025 malaria elimination targets. Stressing the importance of community engagement, Sanwo-Olu encouraged residents to become advocates for the program by spreading awareness on preventive measures and the need for proper testing before treatment.
“This fight belongs to all of us. We must embrace preventive measures like eliminating mosquito breeding sites and adopt a test-before-treatment approach to ensure accurate diagnoses. Together, we can rewrite Lagos’ malaria story, turning it into one of triumph and progress.”
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, applauded Lagos State’s innovative approach to malaria control. Recalling the state’s early leadership in malaria case management under former Governor and current President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he praised the new program for aligning with the Federal Ministry of Health’s ‘Rethinking Malaria’ initiative, launched in April 2024.
Dr. Salako highlighted Lagos’ low malaria prevalence rate (2%)—the lowest in Nigeria—and expressed confidence that with sustained efforts, the state could achieve pre-elimination status, serving as a model for the nation.
He emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in malaria control, noting that 50-60% of Nigerians first seek treatment in private health facilities. He stressed the need for public-private partnerships to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve malaria-negative fever protocols.
Salako reassured stakeholders that recent global health funding changes would not hinder Nigeria’s malaria elimination efforts, affirming the federal government’s commitment to securing adequate, cost-effective funding for public health initiatives.
In his presentation titled “Winning the Fight Against Malaria in Lagos State,” Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described malaria as a major public health challenge contributing to mortality, economic burdens, and reduced human capital development.
He noted that Nigeria bears 27% of global malaria cases, yet Lagos State has successfully reduced its prevalence to 2.6%, placing it in the low-transmission category. This progress, he said, is due to sustained interventions, private-sector partnerships, and digital health innovations.
Abayomi emphasized the need for continuous efforts in:
Early diagnosis and effective treatment
Vector control measures like indoor residual spraying and larviciding
Community education and engagement
Digital health tracking for real-time data collection
He also stressed the shift from presumptive treatment to a “test, treat, and track” approach, which would improve diagnostic accuracy, ensure appropriate use of anti-malarial drugs, and prevent drug resistance.
Dr. Kazadi Walter Mulombo, WHO Country Representative for Nigeria, hailed Lagos as a model for urban malaria control. He emphasized the importance of evidence-based interventions, private-sector collaboration, and government commitment in achieving malaria elimination.
Dr. Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, noted the economic impact of malaria, linking it to 30% of under-five deaths and 60% of outpatient visits in Nigeria. He urged increased funding, public-private partnerships, and community-led interventions.
Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, Managing Director, Society for Family Health (SFH), emphasized the role of digital technology in malaria tracking and surveillance, highlighting its importance in accelerating elimination efforts.
With collective action, innovative solutions, and sustained commitment, Lagos is on track to becoming malaria-free. The newly launched digital malaria control initiative sets the stage for a transformational shift in disease management, ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future for all Lagosians.
