Investments in malaria control avert deaths and reduce cases but many challenges stall the gains and progress in eliminating the disease in Nigeria,Despite being one of the oldest diseases, the malaria parasite and the mosquitoes that spread it have continued to claim the lives of thousands of Nigerians every year.
Malaria is preventable and curable but it is responsible for high disease and death rates, especially among under-five children and pregnant women. The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021, the region was home to about 95 per cent of all malaria cases and 96 per cent of malaria deaths. Children under five years of age accounted for about 80 per cent of all malaria deaths in the region.
At the launch of the NMIS report in November, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said malaria accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 per cent of childhood deaths, 11 per cent of maternal deaths , and 25 per cent of deaths in infants . Clearly, Nigeria is off track to achieving two critical 2020 milestones: reducing malaria deaths and disease by at least 40 per cent in 2020.Though the government of Nigeria and its partners have made consistent and concerted efforts over the years in the fight against malaria, the funds required to stay on track to defeat the disease fall short.