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New partnership to tackle malaria in Lagos

Lagos State Malaria Initiative
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The Society for Family Health partners with Lagos State to combat malaria, aiming for a Malaria-Free Nigeria through enhanced healthcare.

 

 

On Monday, the Society for Family Health (SFH) and the Lagos State Ministry of Health solidified their commitment to fighting malaria in Lagos State by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This strategic collaboration is part of the World Bank-supported Malaria Impact Project, which aims to implement innovative strategies to reduce the malaria burden through enhanced prevention and treatment services across both public and private healthcare facilities.

 

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A statement released by SFH on Tuesday underscored the urgency of this initiative, highlighting that Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by malaria, with over 97 per cent of its population at risk.

In 2021, Nigeria accounted for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden and 31 per cent of malaria-related deaths, significantly impacting vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women.

The Lagos State Impact Project seeks to address these alarming statistics by aligning with the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) and implementing evidence-based interventions.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, and Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, SFH’s Managing Director, marking a pivotal partnership aimed at reducing malaria prevalence through improved services.

During the signing ceremony, Commissioner Abayomi emphasised the significance of the Malaria Impact Project, stating, “Nigeria continues to bear the brunt of malaria, contributing greatly to global morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations.”

He highlighted that the project is crucial for expanding access to malaria prevention tools, including insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), while also enhancing diagnosis and treatment services throughout the state.

Dr. Omokhudu Idogho articulated the project’s focus on strengthening malaria diagnosis and case management.

He noted that SFH will collaborate with the Lagos State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) to improve malaria diagnosis through expanded use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and microscopy.

Community engagement, behaviour change, and public-private partnerships will be essential components of the initiative.

“We are proud to collaborate with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and local governments to significantly reduce the malaria burden in the state,” Idogho remarked.

“This initiative brings us closer to a Malaria-Free Nigeria while strengthening healthcare systems to deliver equitable, high-quality malaria control services, particularly in underserved communities.”

Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, Deputy Managing Director of SFH, emphasised the critical role of community engagement in the project’s approach.

“By working closely with local organisations and stakeholders, we ensure that essential messages about malaria prevention and treatment reach even the most remote communities, thereby improving health outcomes for all and benefiting the over 20 million residents of the state,” she stated.

As the partnership unfolds, both SFH and the Lagos State Ministry of Health are hopeful that their combined efforts will lead to a significant reduction in malaria cases, paving the way for a healthier, malaria-free future for the state.

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