Malaria is costing Nigeria over $1.1 billion annually in losses to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to Health Minister Muhammad Pate.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), Pate described the disease as not just a public health crisis but a pressing economic and developmental emergency.
The minister revealed that Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of malaria-related deaths, with over 180,000 children under the age of five succumbing to the disease in 2022 alone. He emphasized that malaria drains productivity, raises out-of-pocket health expenses, and entrenches poverty, underscoring the need for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the scourge.
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To tackle this challenge, Pate unveiled AMEN, a council of globally renowned experts tasked with developing evidence-based solutions to reduce Nigeria’s malaria burden. He noted that malaria elimination is central to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, aligning with the administration’s broader goals of economic and social transformation.
The introduction of malaria vaccines, now available in Nigeria, offers renewed hope. Pate stressed the role of community leaders, both traditional and religious, in driving grassroots adoption of interventions like vaccines, insecticide-treated nets, and chemoprevention. “This collaborative approach will amplify AMEN’s efforts in achieving behavioral change and boosting prevention strategies,” he said.
Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, reiterated the importance of collective action involving the private sector, healthcare workers, international partners, and local communities. He highlighted the advisory council’s role in guiding policies and ensuring accountability to sustain progress.
