lIKEJA: Lagos State has made history as the first sub-national entity in Nigeria to launch the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme.
This groundbreaking initiative is designed to significantly reduce the malaria burden through the integration of digital technology and a strengthened collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu formally unveiled the tech-driven health initiative, which is receiving support from key global health organizations, including the World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), Maisha Meds, and other multilateral partners.
The programme aims to enhance malaria control efforts by improving diagnostic accuracy, optimizing case management, and connecting patients to social health insurance schemes.
With this move, Lagos State is pioneering the transition to a fully digitized system of malaria prevention.
The initiative aligns with the World Bank-funded Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, which is set to conclude in December 2025.
Nigeria bears the highest malaria burden globally, accounting for 27% of all malaria cases worldwide and recording approximately 200,000 deaths annually.
The majority of these fatalities occur among children, making malaria a critical public health concern in the country.
Despite Lagos’ high population, the state has managed to maintain the lowest malaria burden in Nigeria, currently standing at 2.6%.
This places Lagos in the low transmission category, distinguishing it from the 28 other sub-national regions where the IMPACT project is being implemented.
However, despite these achievements, Lagos still records around 900,000 malaria cases annually, necessitating a more strategic and sustained response to ensure that progress in combating the disease is not reversed.
While launching the initiative, Governor Sanwo-Olu described malaria as a socio-economic burden that disproportionately affects low-income families, draining household finances while simultaneously reducing productivity across communities.
He highlighted the financial implications of malaria treatment, noting that for many households in Lagos, malaria-related expenses can consume up to 3% of their monthly income.
This economic strain often forces families to choose between seeking medical care and meeting other essential needs, such as food or education.
Beyond households, malaria also negatively impacts businesses by causing absenteeism in workplaces, lowering school attendance rates, and placing a significant burden on healthcare facilities due to preventable cases.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the new digital malaria monitoring system would be a game-changer in tackling the disease. By leveraging real-time tracking and data analytics, the state can better manage and respond to malaria outbreaks, ensuring quicker interventions and improved treatment outcomes.
“Malaria is more than just a disease; it is an economic challenge that has held back individuals, families, and entire communities for far too long. Today, we are taking decisive steps to change this narrative by utilizing digital tools that will track malaria cases in real time.
This initiative symbolizes hope, innovation, and determination. The eradication of malaria is not just a health goal; it is an economic necessity, he said.
The governor further stressed that eliminating malaria would not only improve the overall quality of life but also enhance education outcomes, increase workforce productivity, and reduce healthcare costs in the long run.
For the ambitious malaria elimination programme to succeed, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need for collaboration among key stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, community leaders, development partners, and the general public.
He noted that continuous monitoring and monthly tracking of progress were essential to ensure the effectiveness of the programme.
This vision is ambitious but entirely achievable. However, success will not come overnight. It requires sustained effort, collective action, and the unwavering resolve of all stakeholders.
Together, we will overcome malaria and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of all Lagosians, he affirmed.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiak Salako, lauded Lagos State for implementing the most comprehensive malaria elimination strategy in the country.
He emphasized that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting efforts by state governments in reversing the malaria epidemic.
He also reassured stakeholders that despite recent changes in global health funding policies, particularly by the United States Government, Nigeria’s progress in malaria eradication would not be negatively affected.
Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, highlighted the significant progress the state has made in the fight against malaria over the last 15 years. Through improved diagnosis, immunization, and treatment strategies, malaria prevalence in Lagos has dropped remarkably:
- 2010: Malaria prevalence was at 15%
- 2015: Declined to 10%
- 2025 (Current): Further reduced to 2.6%
Despite this progress, malaria still poses a major public health challenge in Lagos, with around 900,000 cases recorded annually. Also, more than 50% of outpatient visits to public health facilities are due to febrile illnesses, many of which are presumed to be malaria.
Outlining the next steps in the state’s malaria elimination strategy, Prof. Abayomi emphasized that strong political will, innovative infrastructure, and strategic partnerships would drive Lagos’ progress towards total malaria eradication.
He identified four key focus areas that would ensure the success of the initiative:
- Human Resource Strategy – Strengthening the healthcare workforce to improve malaria case management.
- Digital Interventions – Expanding the use of technology for real-time malaria tracking and early detection.
- Health Financing through Insurance – Ensuring affordable access to malaria treatment through social health insurance schemes.
- Private Sector and Donor Partnerships – Leveraging external funding and collaborations to sustain malaria elimination efforts.
With the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme, Lagos is taking bold and proactive steps to tackle malaria through technology, innovation, and collaborative governance.
If successful, this initiative could serve as a model for other states and nations battling malaria, ultimately bringing Nigeria closer to achieving a malaria-free future.
