Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating malaria, saying the disease is a critical public health challenge.
The governor who spoke at the launch of the Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitization Programme in Lagos State said malaria is more than a disease, as it is a socio-economic burden that has held back individuals, families, and communities for far too long.
Noting that it robs individuals, families, and communities of productivity and drains household incomes, Sanwo-Olu stated that for many households in Lagos, especially those with modest incomes, malaria treatment could consume up to three percent of monthly earnings.
The governor said: “This financial strain often forces families to make heartbreaking choices between healthcare and other basic needs like food or education. The economic impact extends beyond households—businesses suffer from absenteeism, schools record lower attendance rates among children, and our healthcare system bears the weight of preventable cases.
“But today, we are here to change this narrative. The eradication of malaria is not just a health goal but an economic imperative. According to a Malaria No More UK report, Nigeria could benefit from a GDP increase of nearly $34 billion by 2030. This is a staggering figure that underscores the urgent need for action.
“Imagine what Lagos could achieve if we reclaimed the billions lost annually to this disease. Imagine the possibilities for families who no longer have to choose between survival and opportunity. Imagine a Lagos where every child can attend school uninterrupted by illness and every adult can contribute fully to our economy.
“This programme represents hope rooted in innovation, collaboration, and determination. By leveraging digital tools, we will track every malaria case in real-time.”
Sanwo-Olu commended the partners—the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), community pharmacies, private hospitals, and many others, for their invaluable support in making this initiative possible.
In his address at the launch, the state’s commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, emphasised that the programme is a crucial step towards reducing malaria prevalence to below one per cent, marking a significant leap towards disease eradication in Lagos.
“Lagos is already leading the way with a malaria prevalence of under three per cent, far below the national average. With this initiative, we are taking decisive steps to eliminate malaria and ensure that every fever is properly diagnosed and treated using a scientific and digitalised approach,” Prof Abayomi stated.
