Malaria Disrupts Nigeria’s Economy and Healthcare System, Warns Health Minister
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, has issued a stark warning about malaria’s continued strain on Nigeria’s economy and health infrastructure.
World Malaria Day 2025 Highlights Urgent Need for Action
Speaking at a press briefing commemorating World Malaria Day 2025 under the theme “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reignite, Reimagine,” Salako emphasized that malaria remains dangerously underestimated despite its devastating impact.
“In Nigeria, malaria continues to be a major public health issue, with children under five years of age and pregnant women being most at risk,” he stated.
“This disease not only causes suffering and death, but it also disrupts the economic ecosystem by hindering productivity and increasing healthcare costs.”
Nigeria’s Heavy Malaria Burden
Citing the World Malaria Report 2024, Salako revealed that Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths.
Government’s Elimination Strategy
The administration’s Rethinking Malaria Initiative includes:
- Sub-national tailored plans
- New Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN)
- Global technical support network
Nationwide Prevention and Treatment Expansion
Key interventions for 2025 include:
- Insecticide-treated nets distribution in 12 states
- Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in 21 northern states
- Pilot Larval Source Management in 6 states
- Malaria vaccine expansion to 17 additional states
Ensuring Treatment Availability
Despite USAID/PMI funding challenges, Nigeria has committed budget resources for essential malaria commodities including:
- Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs)
- Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits
- Injectable artesunate
- Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine (SP) for pregnant women
Strengthening Health Systems and Partnerships
Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom emphasized:
- Subsidized malaria treatment at primary healthcare centers
- Need for inter-ministerial coordination
- Addressing environmental factors like climate change
Salako highlighted private sector involvement through the Nigeria End Malaria Council, chaired by Aliko Dangote, which is mobilizing corporate funding for elimination efforts.
Innovation and Advocacy Efforts
Development partners like the Gates Foundation are supporting:
- Malaria vaccine research
- Funding for eradication campaigns
- Artistic awareness initiatives like Onyebe Ella’s virtual paintings
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