Malaria Prevalence Drops In Kogi, Nears Elimination

Malaria prevalence dropped from 16 per cent in 2021 to 8.9 per cent in 2025 in Kogi State, the state commissioner for health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, has said.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 2026 World Malaria Day in Lokoja at the weekend, Adeiza described malaria as a persistent public health challenge, particularly among children under five years and pregnant women.

He said the state’s sustained interventions were yielding measurable results.

Despite Nigeria accounting for about 24 per cent of the global malaria burden and 30 per cent of related deaths, the commissioner said Kogi had made significant progress through strategic planning, investment and collaboration with development partners.

He attributed the gains to the commitment of the state government through strengthened healthcare programmes and partnerships.

“The reduction in malaria prevalence from 16 per cent in 2021 to 8.9 per cent in 2025 shows that our strategies are working,” Adeiza said.

Among the key interventions is the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention programme, implemented by the Malaria Consortium across all 21 local government areas since 2021, protecting thousands of children from infection.

Adeiza revealed plans to distribute over 3.6 million insecticide-treated nets to households across the state before the end of the year, as part of efforts to further reduce transmission.

He added that the state had secured approval to support immunisation activities in three local government areas, while the ISDB LLF project, implemented by Famkris Healthcare Initiative, was providing free malaria testing and treatment in public health facilities.

The initiative has also enhanced healthcare delivery through capacity building for health workers, improved data management, and the installation of incinerators at Specialist Hospital Lokoja and Kabba General Hospital to strengthen medical waste management, said.

Adeiza emphasised that ongoing training of health personnel and active community engagement through Ward Development Committees had been central to sustaining progress.

In her remarks, the team lead of Famkris Healthcare Initiative, Salamatu Yahaya, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to support malaria elimination efforts in the state.

She praised the Kogi State government for providing the logistics necessary for success and noted that the organisation operates in over 515 health facilities across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

According to her, the initiative supplies malaria consumables, trains healthcare workers, and promotes preventive messages in communities.

Yahaya also urged residents to maintain clean environments and ensure proper waste management as part of efforts to curb malaria transmission.