State Government Strengthens Diagnostic Accuracy and Partnerships as Malaria Rates Drop Below 5%
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria as the state records a historic reduction in prevalence, now below 5% among children under five, a remarkable achievement compared to the national average of 22%.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, under the leadership of the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has implemented targeted interventions through the Lagos State Malaria Impact Project, positioning the state for malaria pre-elimination. This milestone underscores a decade of consistent investment, data-driven policy, and strategic collaboration with development partners.
The project, implemented by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Society for Family Health (SFH), Maisha Meds, and the ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, is focused on strengthening surveillance systems, improving data quality, and promoting evidence-based case management across the state.
However, the government has identified overdiagnosis and inappropriate malaria treatment as emerging challenges. Despite a steady decline in malaria cases, many patients with fever are still being treated for malaria even when diagnostic results prove otherwise. A recent study revealed that only about 7% of patients who presented with fever actually tested positive for malaria, highlighting the need for better adherence to testing protocols.
To address this, Lagos State has intensified training and supervision for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory personnel, equipping them to rely on diagnostic results and manage cases appropriately. With technical support from SFH and the ANDI Centre of Excellence, these efforts are aimed at ensuring the rational use of antimalarial medicines and accurate case reporting.
The State Government is also urging residents to play an active role in sustaining these gains by requesting malaria tests before treatment. According to health authorities, every suspected case should be confirmed using microscopy or Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) to prevent misuse of drugs and misdiagnosis of other illnesses such as typhoid or viral infections.
Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, a partner in the initiative, emphasized that health workers are being trained to clearly explain negative test results and guide patients toward identifying the true cause of their symptoms, fostering trust and improving treatment outcomes.
The Lagos example, experts say, demonstrates that malaria elimination in Nigeria is achievable. Through strong leadership, robust data systems, and sustained collaboration between government and partners, Lagos has become a model for malaria control and elimination efforts nationwide.
The state government reiterated that maintaining this progress will require continued vigilance, investment, and public cooperation. With its current trajectory, Lagos is not only on the brink of malaria pre-elimination but also poised to lead Nigeria, and Africa, toward a malaria-free future.
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