Malaria: Why Medicinal Plants Must Be Protected – Professor

As the malaria scourge continues to affect millions, a public health expert, Prof. Olusogo Adewole Olalubi, has raised alarm on the disappearance of vital medicinal plants used in the treatment of malaria.

He, therefore, called for urgent action through stronger environmental protections and sustainable harvesting policies to preserve these natural resources, which remain a lifeline for malaria treatment, especially in underserved communities.

Olalubi of the Department of Public Health, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, made the call while delivering the university’s 20th Inaugural Lecture titled, “The Malaria Odyssey: Test-tube to Natural Products and Geospatial Modelling”.

He noted that a large proportion of traditional medicines originate from plants, which also serve as key raw materials for both pharmaceutical and traditional health systems.

Olalubi emphasised that medicinal plants remain critical in the fight against malaria, particularly in rural and underserved communities, where access to modern healthcare facilities is limited.

He stated that these plants continue to be widely used to manage illnesses, especially malaria, due to their affordability, accessibility, and cultural acceptance.

He added that these plants provide a vital healthcare alternative for communities with limited access to hospitals and modern drugs.

Olalubi, however, warned that several medicinal plants in the Malete area of Moro local government area of Kwara State are under increasing threat from environmental degradation and rapid urban expansion.

He identified species such as Aristolochia ringes, Mucuna pruriens, Azadirachta indica, Kigelia africana, Citrus limon, Ludwigia suffruticosa, Parkia biglobosa and Picralima nitida as some of the species gradually disappearing from degraded woodland and settlement clusters.

He attributed the threat largely to deforestation caused by construction activities and expansion around the university community, urging that urban planning in Malete should incorporate the cultivation and preservation of medicinal plants as part of the Kwara State government’s rural healthcare agenda.

Olalubi added that malaria remains not only a public health concern but also a major development challenge in Nigeria, requiring strong leadership, inclusive policies, and sustained interventions to ensure access to prevention, diagnosis, and effective treatment.