The Minister of Health, Ali Pate, has raised concerns over the rising malaria prevalence in Ogun State, which increased from 22 per cent in 2018 to 25 per cent in 2021.
He urged enhanced collaboration to drive the nation towards a zero-malaria target.
Pate, represented by a Director from the ministry, David Oyeleke, made this statement on Monday in Abeokuta during the launch of the distribution of 3.1 million Insecticide-Treated Nets provided by the Society for Family Health in partnership with the Ogun State and Federal Governments, alongside other development partners.
He highlighted that Nigeria accounts for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden and 31 per cent of global malaria deaths.
“While the national malaria prevalence dropped from 42 per cent in 2010 to 22 per cent in 2021, Ogun State has experienced an increase from 22 per cent in 2018 to 25 per cent in 2021,” he said. “This means we must intensify efforts, and the Federal Government is ready to support Ogun State in significantly reducing malaria prevalence and achieving a zero-malaria status.”
Pate emphasised the importance of the ITN campaign, urging residents to use the nets effectively. “We must encourage our people to collect these nets and sleep inside them to avoid mosquito bites that cause malaria. The success of this campaign lies in ensuring the nets are widely used,” he added.
Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele reiterated the importance of using the nets, noting that malaria accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient visits and 40 per cent of hospital admissions.
“More troubling is malaria’s contribution to maternal and child mortality, including 11 per cent of maternal deaths, 25 per cent of infant deaths, and 40 per cent of deaths among children under five,” she said.
Salako-Oyedele assured residents of the state government’s commitment to combating malaria through various interventions, including the distribution of treated nets. She called on religious and community leaders, traditional rulers, and residents to actively participate by collecting and using the distributed nets.
She urged residents to air the nets under shade for 24 hours before use and to ensure they sleep inside them every night.
The Director of the Society for Family Health, Dr John Ocholi, also praised the Ogun State Government for its support of the campaign. He urged residents with net cards to visit designated distribution centres from Tuesday to Saturday to collect their nets and start using them.
“This is a strategic way to reduce malaria prevalence in the state. People must sleep inside these treated nets to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” Ocholi stated.
