The Lagos State Ministry of Health has partnered with the Society for Family Health (SFH) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to combat malaria in Lagos State.
This development was reported in a statement to newsmen on Tuesday.
Innovative strategies supported by the World Bank
According to the statement, under the Malaria Impact Project supported by the World Bank, SFH is implementing innovative strategies to reduce the burden of malaria.
“The initiative focuses on enhancing prevention and treatment services in the state’s public and private healthcare facilities.”
“Nigeria is one of the countries most affected by malaria, with more than 97 percent of its population at risk.
That added to it “In 2021 alone, Nigeria accounted for 27 percent of the global malaria burden and 31 percent of malaria-related deaths, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women.”the statement emphasized.
Summary with national goals
The Lagos State Impact Project seeks to address these alarming statistics by following the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) and implementing evidence-based interventions.
“The MoU signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Managing Director of SFH, Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, highlights a strategic partnership focused on reducing the incidence of malaria through enhanced prevention and treatment services. The World Bank is supporting this collaboration to strengthen healthcare delivery in both public and private facilities in Lagos . the statement read.
Emphasis on vulnerable populations
At the signing ceremony, Commissioner Abayomi highlighted the importance of the Malaria IMPACT project, which is in line with the National Malaria Strategic Plan.
“Nigeria continues to bear the brunt of malaria, contributing significantly to global malaria morbidity and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children under 5 and pregnant women.
“This project is a critical step in reducing these numbers as it aims to expand access to malaria prevention tools such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and improve diagnosis and treatment services across the state,” he said.
Confirmation of diagnosis and case management
Dr. Omokhudu Idogho highlighted the importance of the project, noting that the Malaria Impact Project focuses on strengthening malaria diagnosis and case management.
“SFH is partnering with the Lagos State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP) to improve malaria diagnosis through the expanded use of Rapid Diagnostics (RDT) and Microscopy.
He stated, “We are proud to partner with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to significantly reduce the burden of malaria in the state.
“This initiative brings us closer to a malaria-free Nigeria while strengthening health systems to provide equitable and quality malaria control services, especially in underserved communities.
“Using data and digital solutions, we respond to critical health challenges and make improvements that benefit the entire healthcare system.” said Idogho.
Community involvement at the forefront
Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, Executive Vice President of SFH, emphasized the critical role of community involvement in the initiative.
“By working closely with local organizations and stakeholders, we ensure that key messages about malaria prevention and treatment reach even the most remote communities, improving health outcomes for all and reaching the state’s more than 20 million residents. he pointed out.
SFH is one of Nigeria’s largest NGOs committed to providing high quality health interventions to underserved populations across West Africa.
What you should know
- Malaria remains a major public health problem in Lagos State as well as Nigeria as a whole. Due to the state’s dense population and tropical climate, it is a hotspot for the spread of malaria.
- Over 97% of Nigeria’s population is at risk of malaria and Lagos is no exception. The state’s large population and humid environment create ideal conditions for malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
- Children under five and pregnant women suffer the most from malaria. These vulnerable groups account for the highest number of malaria-related deaths. Initiatives have been launched in Lagos to provide Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and preventive care to pregnant women to address this problem.
