The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that it will convene a high-level meeting scheduled for May 3rd, 2024, to discuss the implementation of the “Rethink Malaria” Initiative to commemorate the 2024 World Malaria Day.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, announced this on Thursday in Abuja, during the commemoration of the 2024 World Malaria Day.
World Malaria Day, celebrated annually on April 25th, recognizes global efforts to control malaria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the theme for the 2024 celebration is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”
The 2022 Nigeria Malaria Report indicates a 55 percent reduction in malaria death rates between 2000 and 2021, with a 26% decrease in incidence during the same period.
Malaria, a disease caused by a parasite transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, claims the lives of more than 600,000 people each year, with children in sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected.
Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, also bears a significant malaria burden globally.
Meanwhile, Pate explained that the Rethink Malaria Initiative aims to redefine strategies in the fight against malaria, a disease that continues to pose significant health challenges in the country.
“The meeting will convene key stakeholders from government agencies, healthcare organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international partners to strategize on innovative approaches to combat malaria effectively.
“With malaria remaining a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for renewed efforts and collaborative action to address the root causes and challenges associated with the disease,” he said.
“The initiative seeks to leverage new technologies, strengthen healthcare systems, and mobilize resources to achieve significant progress in malaria control and elimination.”
“The high-level meeting will provide a platform for stakeholders to review progress, share best practices, and identify gaps in current malaria control efforts. It will also facilitate discussions on resource mobilization, partnership building, and advocacy strategies to garner support for malaria elimination initiatives,” he added.
“The decision to convene the meeting underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing public health and accelerating progress towards achieving malaria elimination,” he said.
Also, the WHO Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, who was represented by Dr. Alex Chimbaru, Deputy Country Representative, highlighted the theme “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World” and emphasized the need for collective commitment to change the narrative and achieve progress and equity in combating malaria.
He also disclosed that malaria disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, infants, children under five, refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequity.
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He provided statistics from the Global Malaria Report of 2023 to illustrate the magnitude of the malaria burden, particularly in the WHO African region, highlighting countries contributing to the increase in cases.
He acknowledged challenges such as climate change and humanitarian emergencies but expressed hope and optimism about the progress made in malaria control and prevention efforts.
While citing initiatives like signing the Yaoundé Declaration and organizing upcoming roundtable meetings, he recognized the government’s commitment to fighting malaria.
“The fight against malaria is not just a health issue but also a matter of social justice and human rights,” he stressed, emphasizing the importance of expanding access to interventions and improving health systems.
He, therefore, urged collective action, innovation, and unwavering commitment to overcome challenges and achieve the shared goal of a malaria-free future for all.
He further reiterated WHO’s commitment to continuing partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health/National Malaria Elimination Program (FMoH/NMEP) and other malaria partners through the provision of technical support and guidance to meet national goals.
The Chairman of the 2024 World Malaria Day Planning Committee, Dr. Gbenga Jokodola, emphasized the critical need for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of fever suspected to be malaria.
Jokodola highlighted the importance of confirming whether the fever is due to malaria through testing and then administering the appropriate medication, which includes artemisinin-based combination therapy drugs.
He also addressed the issue of fake malaria drugs and stressed the importance of ensuring that patients receive the correct medication in the proper manner.
Additionally, he underscored the significance of building capacity among healthcare providers and stakeholders to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery.
He advocated for early presentation at health facilities to receive timely and appropriate treatment, emphasizing the importance of effective primary healthcare services.
Dr. Michael Adekunle, CEO of Roll Back Malaria, highlighted the crucial need for accurate data to understand the true extent of malaria cases in Nigeria, underscoring that without proper data, effective interventions cannot be implemented.
Adekunle advocated for a holistic approach to healthcare that involves strengthening the entire health system, including infrastructure, data collection, surveillance, and interventions for diseases like malaria, HIV, and TB.
Recognizing the significant role of youth in combating malaria, he stressed the importance of engaging them in efforts to eradicate the disease.
“We have proposed the establishment of a youth force to support malaria elimination initiatives at the community level.
“It is time to take advantage of the active involvement of youth in the fight against malaria in Nigeria,” he said.
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