The Lagos State Government has launched the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme, a transformative initiative aimed at accelerating the eradication of malaria through advanced digital innovations, enhanced case management, and strengthened public-private partnerships. This bold move underscores Lagos’ commitment to achieving a malaria-free state, leveraging technology and data-driven strategies to combat one of the most persistent health challenges in Nigeria.
Speaking at a high-level press briefing at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health, emphasized that this initiative is a critical step toward reducing malaria prevalence to below one percent, marking a significant advancement in public health. He highlighted that despite Lagos having a malaria prevalence of under three percent—far lower than the national average—the state still records approximately 900,000 malaria cases annually. Febrile illnesses presumed to be malaria account for over 50% of general outpatient visits in public health facilities, demonstrating the pressing need for decisive intervention.
Malaria’s impact extends beyond health concerns, exerting a substantial economic toll on Lagos. The disease contributes to absenteeism in workplaces and schools, decreases productivity, and imposes financial burdens on households due to treatment costs. Abayomi stressed that tackling malaria is not just a health imperative but a socio-economic necessity. He underscored that the cost of malaria treatment, coupled with the indirect losses from missed work and school days, amounts to billions of naira annually. A malaria-free Lagos, he stated, will be a more prosperous and economically resilient city.
At the heart of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme is the integration of cutting-edge digital health solutions to optimize malaria surveillance and case management. Through a strategic collaboration with Maisha Meds, a leading digital health platform, Lagos will deploy real-time electronic malaria reporting systems across public and private health facilities. This will facilitate swift, accurate data collection, enabling health authorities to track malaria trends, detect outbreaks early, and deploy targeted interventions more efficiently.
A critical component of this initiative is the mandatory use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) before any malaria treatment is administered. Abayomi highlighted that many patients in Lagos receive anti-malarial treatment without proper testing, leading to widespread misdiagnosis and inappropriate medication use. By enforcing compulsory testing, the program will ensure that only confirmed malaria cases receive treatment, thereby improving healthcare outcomes, curbing the misuse of antibiotics, and mitigating the growing threat of drug resistance.
Recognizing that a significant percentage of malaria cases in Lagos are treated outside government hospitals, the state government is integrating community pharmacies, patent medicine vendors, and private hospitals into its malaria control network. This ensures that malaria diagnosis and treatment adhere to standardized protocols, regardless of where patients seek medical attention. The government is collaborating with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) to ensure uniformity in malaria treatment and care. This means that whether a patient visits a public hospital, private clinic, or neighborhood pharmacy, they will receive high-quality, consistent malaria diagnosis and treatment in line with Lagos State’s guidelines.
A major behavioral shift that the programme seeks to instill is the transformation of public perception regarding fever and malaria diagnosis. Many Lagosians routinely self-diagnose malaria and purchase anti-malarial drugs without testing, an approach that can lead to incorrect treatment. Abayomi reiterated that not every fever is malaria, as bacterial and viral infections can also cause similar symptoms. The new initiative strongly discourages self-medication and promotes diagnostic testing before any treatment, ensuring patients receive the appropriate care for their actual condition.
In a bid to make malaria treatment more accessible and affordable, Lagos State is integrating malaria care into its health insurance scheme, Ilera Eko. Enrollees of the scheme will have access to malaria tests and treatment at minimal or no cost, reducing the financial burden on families and encouraging timely healthcare-seeking behavior. This approach will enhance early detection and treatment, leading to better health outcomes across the state.
The overarching objective of this ambitious initiative is to bring malaria prevalence in Lagos below one percent, propelling the state into a malaria pre-elimination phase. To achieve this, the government is implementing three major intervention strategies. Firstly, it is scaling up effective case management by ensuring that all suspected malaria cases undergo testing and receive accurate treatment. Secondly, it is enhancing disease surveillance through the deployment of digital tools that track malaria cases in real-time, enabling prompt and targeted responses. Lastly, it is driving community engagement and prevention efforts by educating the public on malaria prevention methods, such as the proper use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and maintaining clean environments to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
The Lagos State Government is setting a precedent for malaria elimination not only in Nigeria but across Africa. By harnessing digital innovation, strengthening healthcare partnerships, and enforcing rigorous treatment protocols, Lagos is poised to become a model for malaria eradication efforts worldwide. The Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme represents a significant stride in public health, positioning Lagos as a leader in the fight against malaria.