By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Government, FG, at the weekend raised alarm over Nigeria contributing over 30% of malaria global burden.The Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Professor Ali Muhammad Pate, revealed this at the Roundtable Discussion on Rethinking Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, organized by Ministry of Health in Abuja.

He said it is unacceptable that that more than 70 years since Nigeria began implementing programs to eliminate malaria, it still bears 30% of the global burden, with an estimated annual 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths from the disease as of 2021. He therefore said for Nigeria to address the burden of malaria, there is need to re strategize it’s approaches in addressing the constraints that prevent efficient delivery of existing effective key malaria control strategies and forthcoming innovations and tools.According to the Minister, “It is unacceptable that more than 70 years since Nigeria began implementing programs to eliminate malaria, it still bears 30% of the global burden, with an estimated annual 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths from the disease as of 2021. This is not due to lack of political commitment or human capacity within Africa to bring an end to the scourge of malaria but, I would say, because of insufficient focus and commitment.Exactly twenty-four years ago, on April 25, 2000, during the African Summit on Roll Back Malaria in Abuja, over 44 Heads of Government and development partners signed the so-called “Abuja Declaration on Roll Back Malaria,” outlining several objectives and a plan of action to combat malaria in Africa.”When we interrogate the objectives of the Declaration, we could candidly assess how much progress we have made across the scales:Have we sufficiently raised awareness about the severity of malaria as a public health issue and are we taking the requisite urgent action to control and eventually eliminate malaria?In the face of the scourge of malaria, have we mobilized enough financial and technical resources to support malaria control efforts in Nigeria and other African countries, including both domestic and international funding, as well as technical assistance from organizations and governments?Are we invested in strengthening our health systems towards improving malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment targeting infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and improving access to essential malaria interventions?”Do our approaches do enough to improve equitable access to prevention and treatment such as insecticide-treated bed nets and antimalarial drugs, as well as prompt and effective treatment for those infected with malaria through expanding coverage and reaching vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children?Are we truly aligned on fostering collaboration transparently among ourselves bringing our development partners, civil society, and the private sector for sharing best practices, coordinating efforts, and monitoring progress towards malaria control targets?”To be sure, the RBM Initiative has achieved remarkable progress even though we are yet to triumph over malaria. For example, we have witnessed increased funding for malaria control efforts in Africa, both from domestic sources and international donors. But gaps exist. In December 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as part of achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda for improved quality health outcomes for all Nigerians, launched the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative [NHSRII] backed by a Compact among the 36 State Governors, FCT Minister, our development partners, and civil society.Anchored on a Sector-Wide Approach, Mr. President approved that every actor within the Nigerian health sector must commit to adopting a common template in efforts to developing and implementing initiatives to save lives, reduce physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians in an equitable and accessible way”.Pate, lamented, “Despite all these efforts, the country has not seen the much-desired progress – which is the reason we are here today. Morbidity and mortality in absolute numbers are increasing – fueled by several factors from inadequate funding to increasing insecticide resistance, to disruptions to essential malaria services”.The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in his welcome address decried the fact that about 60% of all hospital attendance in Nigeria is malaria, and the disease contributes about 25 – 30% to childhood mortality. “About 60% of all hospital attendance in Nigeria is malaria, and the disease contributes about 25 – 30% to childhood mortality. There is hardly any aspect of our daily lives that is not affected by malaria, which has a consequential effect on our productivity. The disease has indeed remained a foremost public health challenge. “Nigeria has witnessed some reduction in the prevalence of malaria since the introduction of some interventions such as the use of long-lasting insecticidal Nets, the use of Artemisinin-based Combination Treatments for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, as well as the introduction of chemo-preventive therapies for pregnant women and children below the age of 5 years. It is, however, disheartening that despite all these efforts, malaria remains a considerable burden in the country, affecting all age groups as well as unborn babies. “The performance appraisal of the National Strategic Plan 2014 – 2020 showed a modest drop in parasite prevalence from 27% in 2015 to 22% in 2020. The Midterm Review of the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 conducted in 2023 similarly showed an unimpressive performance and a clear demonstration that continuing in the same business-as-usual mode may never give us the desired results. Therefore, this roundtable discussion, with the participation of experts across the globe and our development partners, is crucial. We must review our past and current strategies and approaches, fine-tune some tools, and introduce new ones for a better outcome”.The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kahollom, said it is imperative for Nigeria to prioritize prevention, strengthen its health systems, and ensure access to effective diagnosis and treatment for all. “As we gather here today, we are reminded of the devastating impact of malaria as it affects our mothers, children and communities. In as much as malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it remains a leading cause of illness and death in our country. However, the country has made some progress over the years. The World Health Organization has estimated that malaria incidence has reduced by 26% since 2000, from 413 per 1000 population in 2000 to 306 per 1000 in 2021. Within the same period, malaria mortality rate (i.e. deaths per 1000 population at risk) fell by 55% from 2.1 per 1000 population in 2000 to 0.9 per 1000 population in 2021.”We must prioritize prevention, strengthen our health systems, and ensure access to effective diagnosis and treatment for all. It is indeed not a compliment that Nigeria bears a third of the global burden of malaria, with the country accounting for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global deaths – based on the 2023 World Malaria Report issued by the World Health Organization”, she said.