By In a bold move to combat malaria, the Lagos State Government has unveiled its Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination & Digitization Program, a tech-driven initiative designed to reduce malaria cases in the state to less than one percent.
Annually, Lagos records around 900,000 malaria cases, but with this innovative program, the state hopes to leverage digital tools to improve disease surveillance, standardize treatment, and enhance case management across all healthcare facilities — both public and private.
Announcing the program at a press briefing, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, highlighted that Lagos already boasts a malaria prevalence rate below 3 percent, far better than the national average. However, the state is determined to go further and eliminate malaria entirely.
A key part of the initiative is the partnership with Maisha Meds, a digital health platform. This partnership will roll out real-time electronic malaria reporting systems across health facilities to ensure accurate data collection for better tracking and quicker responses.
The program also makes rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) mandatory before treating any suspected malaria case. This ensures proper diagnosis, curbs unnecessary use of anti-malarial drugs, and helps fight drug resistance.
“Not every fever is malaria,” Abayomi explained. “Many are caused by bacteria or viruses requiring different treatments. This program discourages self-medication and encourages Lagosians to get tested first.”
Recognizing that many malaria treatments happen outside government hospitals, the state is also bringing community pharmacies, patent medicine vendors, and private hospitals into the fold. Through collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Lagos is ensuring that all providers — whether public hospitals, private clinics, or pharmacies — follow the same standardized malaria treatment protocols.
With this comprehensive approach, Lagos hopes to set a national example, showing how technology, public-private partnerships, and clear guidelines can work together to eliminate malaria once and for all.
