The Federal Government has described malaria not just as a health crisis but also as an economic and developmental emergency that must be eliminated, emphasising that the annual loss malaria causes to Nigeria’s GDP exceeds $1.1 billion.
A statement by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, disclosed this on Tuesday.
Balogun stated that the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made this declaration at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), held in Abuja.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister affirmed that the Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to eliminating malaria.
The launch of the advisory body, he noted, was a decisive step in addressing a persistent problem that has significantly undermined the nation’s health and economic growth.
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He said, “Malaria continues to exert an unacceptable toll on Nigeria. With 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths, our country bears the heaviest burden of this disease. In 2022, over 180,000 Nigerian children under the age of five lost their lives to malaria—a tragedy we have the tools to prevent.”
On its economic impact, the Coordinating Minister stated emphatically:
“This is not just a health crisis; it is an economic and developmental emergency. Malaria reduces productivity, increases out-of-pocket health expenditures, and compounds the challenges of poverty. The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP from malaria exceeds $1.1 billion—a stark reminder of the economic imperative of elimination.”
Prof. Pate further explained that malaria elimination is a critical component of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) framework, which aims to transform the health sector in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
He highlighted the urgency of the task as reflected in the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021–2025, which aims to reduce malaria prevalence to below 10%, halve malaria-related mortality to 50 deaths per 1,000 live births, and significantly lower the disease burden. The Minister also underscored the importance of involving traditional and religious leaders to drive grassroots support and encourage behavioral change.
This advocacy approach, he emphasized, will complement AMEN’s efforts by promoting the use of insecticide-treated nets, chemoprevention, and vaccines.
Speaking earlier, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, affirmed that the advisory body comprises experts who will provide evidence-based recommendations to help the country not only reduce its unacceptable malaria burden but also set it on a realistic path toward becoming malaria-free.
“For us to succeed, private sector involvement, international partnerships, healthcare workers, and the communities we serve must be harnessed and coordinated,” Dr. Salako added.
Delivering her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by the Director of the Public Health Department, Chukwuma Anyaike, stated that the renewed commitment of the present administration has revitalized efforts to eliminate the disease.
The Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), composed of globally renowned experts under the leadership of Prof. Rose Leke, is tasked with advancing evidence-based solutions to address current challenges. Its goals include ensuring that malaria elimination is prioritized in government budgets and plans at all levels and creating accountability frameworks to sustain progress.
