The Lagos State Health District V has revealed that over 978,000 cases of Malaria were treated across public and private health facilities in 2025, underscoring the persistent burden of the disease in the state.
Permanent Secretary of the District, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, disclosed this during the 2026 World Malaria Day commemoration held on April 29 at the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Secretariat. He emphasized the importance of proper health-seeking behaviour, cautioning residents against self-medication and urging strict adherence to prescribed treatments as part of ongoing elimination efforts.
Asiyanbi outlined the state’s core malaria intervention pillars—Prevention, Testing, Treatment, and Tracking—while reaffirming government commitment to combating the disease. He noted that free malaria diagnosis and treatment remain available in public health facilities, alongside the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), rapid diagnostic test kits (mRDTs), and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs).
The event, aligned with the global theme, “Malaria is Preventable and Treatable: Together, We Can Eliminate It,” featured advocacy campaigns and community engagement initiatives aimed at strengthening malaria control efforts across the state.
In a technical presentation, the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Dr. Abimbola Oshinowo, highlighted key policies, progress, and strategies driving the state’s response. She stressed that malaria continues to pose a major public health threat, particularly among children under five, where it significantly contributes to illness and mortality.
“Over 978,000 malaria cases were treated across public and private health facilities in Lagos State in 2025, underscoring the need for sustained intervention and increased community participation,” she stated.
A panel discussion themed “Barriers to Test and Treat Adherence” brought together health experts and community stakeholders, who identified major challenges including poor adherence to diagnostic results, over-reliance on clinical diagnosis, widespread self-medication, and low public awareness.
Panellists called for intensified health education, stronger community engagement, and increased trust in diagnostic tools to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the disease burden.
The programme also reinforced the role of environmental sanitation, proper waste disposal, and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites as critical preventive measures in the fight against malaria.
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