Lagos to deploy new tool to combat malaria

• partners firm to implement rollback malaria strategies

Lagos State Government has pledged to scale up innovation and deploy new tools to combat Malaria, just as it restated its commitment to eliminate Malaria from the State.

Speaking today during an awareness walk to commemorate year 2022 World Malaria Day in Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi noted that the need to scale up innovation and deploy new tools to combat Malaria aligns with the theme for this year’s celebration, “Harness Innovation to Reduce the Malaria Burden and Save Lives”.

Abayomi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye explained that the present administration is committed to tackle the scourge of Malaria by using a multi-pronged approach including Environmental management and Integrated Vector Control for the prevention of malaria; effective diagnosis and appropriate treatment of malaria cases; and Monitoring and Evaluation with emphasis on operational research and the use of its results for evidence–based programming.

He noted Malaria remains a major public health challenge in the State adding that the disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the vulnerable group especially, children of under five years of age and pregnant women.

According to him, “this year’s theme ‘Harness Innovation to reduce the malaria burden and save lives’, highlights the fact that no single tool that is available today will solve the problem of malaria, rather, our collective actions involving improved investments, new and enhanced vector control approaches, diagnostics and antimalarial medicines would speed up the pace of progress in the fight against the disease.

“These investments involve substantial funding support both domestically and from donors. A commendable investment is the collaboration between Lagos State Ministry of Health and Godrej Nigeria Limited, producers of GoodKnight Insecticides to commemorate the Year 2022 World Malaria Day.

“Equally of relevance is the necessity for continuous community engagement and partnership knowing that every effort counts in the fight against malaria. I wish to commend Godrej Nigeria Limited for their partnership with the Ministry in commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day and encourage more of these collaborations with the private sector”, Abayomi said. 

The Commissioner urged all stakeholders to continue in the efforts towards effective malaria control and elimination in Lagos State adding that everyone has a vital role at ensuring clean environment as well as the use of the preventive antimalarial measures and appropriate diagnosis prior to malaria treatment.

 “The War Against Malaria (WAM) is one that must be won. Lagos State Government is very committed to this fight; we must all come together to fight malaria, and this can be achieved knowing that “Every Effort Counts”, he said.

Also, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso who also partook in the awareness walk urged all citizens to support the State Government’s efforts in the fight against malaria.

 Said he “We must ensure that we clean our environment properly via effective refuse disposal and management, covering of water storage containers, clearing of gutters, dredging of canals and channels among others, clearing of unkempt and dirty environments as these are breeding sites for mosquitoes”.

 Managing Director, Godrej West Africa, Chitwan Singh who pledged his company’s support to the control and elimination of Malaria in Lagos Nigeria noted that it is important for state and non-state actors to redouble efforts in the fight against malaria leveraging on public private partnership.