Lagos State is making historic strides toward becoming the first region in West Africa to eliminate malaria, according to the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.
Speaking on the plight, Abayomi said it would not be achieved through vaccines or genetically engineered mosquitoes, but through sustained public health efforts and practical medical strategies.
The milestone is being achieved through a collaborative effort between the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Professor Wellington Oyibo
Malaria still accounts for 95% of global cases and 97% of related deaths on the continent
The statement was made by World Health Organisation (WHO) data from 2022.
Despite this sobering reality, Lagos State stands out as a beacon of progress.
After over two decades of consistent anti-malaria campaigns, the state has seen malaria prevalence among fever patients plummet from 15–20% to just 1–2%.
A Game Changer
“This significant drop prompted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to endorse a full-fledged malaria elimination strategy,” Abayomi said,
Also, he noted that Lagos was determined to redefine how the world viewed Africa beyond malaria, poverty, and famine.
The commissioner further revealed that more than 90% of fever cases in Lagos were now unrelated to malaria.
Also, he described the development as “a game-changer”.
This shift aligns with the state’s commitment to the “test, treat, and track” model.
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It aimed at effectively diagnosing and managing cases, and ultimately, eradicating the disease from the state.
