Lagos state government is leveraging digital innovation to tackle its 900,000 annual malaria cases, aiming to reduce malaria prevalence to below one percent through the newly launched Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination & Digitization Program.
This groundbreaking initiative will enhance disease surveillance, digitize case management, and standardize treatment protocols across healthcare facilities.
The commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this at a press briefing, in Lagos, emphasized that Lagos is already ahead in malaria control, with a prevalence rate of under three percent significantly lower than the national average.
However, with an estimated 900,000 malaria cases annually, the state is now taking a tech-driven approach to eliminate the disease entirely.
A key component of this initiative is the integration of digital health solutions to enhance malaria surveillance and case management. Partnering with Maisha Meds, a digital health platform, Lagos will deploy real-time electronic malaria reporting systems across public and private healthcare facilities. This will ensure accurate data collection, allowing for better disease tracking and response.
Additionally, rapid diagnostic testing (RDTs) is now mandatory before any malaria treatment is administered. This measure aims to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary use of anti-malarial drugs, a common issue that contributes to drug resistance.
“Not every fever is malaria. Many fevers are caused by bacterial or viral infections that require different treatments. With this initiative, we are discouraging self-medication and encouraging Lagosians to get tested before taking any medication,” Abayomi stated.
Recognizing that a significant percentage of malaria treatments occur outside government hospitals, the Lagos state government is integrating community pharmacies, patent medicine vendors, and private hospitals into its malaria control network. Through partnerships with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), treatment protocols will be standardized to ensure quality care across all healthcare providers.
“This means that whether a patient seeks treatment at a public hospital, private clinic, or neighborhood pharmacy, they will receive the same high-quality malaria diagnosis and treatment based on the state’s guidelines,” Abayomi noted.
To ensure affordability, malaria care will be incorporated into Ilera Eko, Lagos State’s health insurance scheme. Registered enrollees will have access to malaria tests and treatments at little or no cost, reducing financial barriers to proper care and encouraging prompt medical attention.
Beyond technology, the program emphasizes behavioral change, urging Lagosians to adopt a “test-before-treatment” mindset. Many residents self-diagnose malaria and purchase drugs without proper testing, leading to mistreatment of febrile illnesses. The initiative will educate communities on malaria prevention, environmental hygiene, and proper use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
“The era of saying, ‘I think I have malaria’ without testing is over. Every fever should be tested first, and only confirmed cases should be treated for malaria.” special adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi added.
The official launch of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination & Digitization Program is scheduled for March 4, 2025, at Eko Hotel, Lagos. The event will be attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, and NMEP.
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