Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, emphasized the need for Nigeria to prioritize prevention, strengthen health systems, and ensure access to effective diagnosis and treatment for all in order to achieve the malaria elimination target.
Kachollom highlighted the significant burden of malaria in Nigeria, noting that the country accounts for 27 percent of global malaria cases and 31 percent of global deaths, according to the 2023 World Malaria Report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“The country has consistently maintained this position,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Kachollom acknowledged some progress made over the years.
“The World Health Organization has estimated that malaria incidence has reduced by 26 percent since 2000, from 413 per 1,000 population in 2000 to 306 per 1,000 in 2021. Within the same period, malaria mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 population at risk) fell by 55 percent from 2.1 per 1,000 population in 2000 to 0.9 per 1,000 population in 2021.”
She also noted the efforts in distributing insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), stating, “From 2009 till date, more than 230 million insecticide-treated nets have been distributed in the 37 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According to the 2021 Malaria Indicator Cluster Survey, the proportion of the population who slept under ITNs the night before the survey increased from 22.9 percent in 2010 to 36.4 percent in 2021.
The percentage of children under the age of five years, one of the most vulnerable groups, who slept under an ITN the night before the survey increased from 28.9 percent in 2010 to 41.2 percent in 2021.”
Kachollom further highlighted improvements in malaria diagnosis and treatment.
“Among children who were reported to have had a fever two weeks preceding the household surveys and among those who sought care for fever, the percentage who received a blood test increased from 6.5 percent in 2010 to 39 percent in 2021,” she said.
