Malaria claims child’s life every two minutes in Africa — Oyo commissioner

Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, has highlighted the alarming rate of malaria-related deaths in Africa, stating that a child dies every two minutes due to the disease. Dr Ajetunmobi emphasised the urgent need for continued efforts to combat malaria, which remains a significant public health threat in Nigeria.

Dr Ajetunmbi, who spoke at the commemoration of the 2025 World Malaria Day at the Akinyele Local Government Area, said Nigeria carries the highest global malaria burden, with 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths. Of course, 39% of these deaths occur in children under five.

According to her, malaria remains a relentless adversary in Nigeria, claiming countless lives and undermining the well-being of our communities, posing a severe threat to public health, especially in areas where resources are scarce and access to care.

The health commissioner added that children under five and pregnant women bear its greatest burden, as malaria not only robs individuals of their health and opportunities but also stalls socio-economic progress and diminishes quality of life across entire communities.

She said there is cause for optimism because there is an encouraging decline in malaria cases and deaths due to the collaborative efforts of the government in partnership with private organisations, health workers, development partners, and different agencies.

Although the progress is encouraging, she said it remains fragile, and the road to zero malaria is strewn with challenges, so there should be a recommitting to reinvesting in core interventions – nets, spraying, larval control, and quality health service; reimagining new tools and strategies and translating commitments into action.

Executive Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Honourable Akinwole Ayobami, represented by Mrs Olaronke Ige, said there was a need for people, particularly pregnant women, to make use of insecticidal treated mosquito nets and visit the nearest healthcare facility for treatment whenever they feel unwell.

He stated that the LGA takes serious health issues to ensure that people at the grassroots are sound health-wise and are encouraged to take the issue of their health seriously.

World Health Organisation representative Dr Phillips Zonto said malaria is still a challenge in many communities, even in urban centres, and therefore a need to expand access to proven life-saving measures and increase domestic funding for malaria interventions that should be integrated into other health interventions.

According to Dr Zonto, there was also the need for innovations to address challenges in malaria control in Nigeria, particularly with the Stephani mosquito, which is one of the vectors that is increasingly invading communities and causing harm.

Malaria Consortium Oyo State Programme Manager, Dr Taiwo Olarinde, said much more than before there was the need to come up with innovations, in the face of dwindling resources, to sustain progress on malaria control, not only in our state but in Nigeria at large.

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