FG: Nigeria, Worst-Hit Malaria Country In The World
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, says that Nigeria has recorded the highest number of malaria cases and deaths in the world. He quoted the 2021 World Malaria Report by saying that Nigeria alone had contributed about 27 per cent of the global malaria cases and 27 per cent of global malaria deaths.
He spoke about this in Abuja during the commemoration of the World Malaria Day that was organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Roll Back Malaria partners as well as other stakeholders.
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Dr. Osagie stated that the government had been working towards reducing the mortality rate that is attributed to malaria to less than 50 deaths per 1, 000 live births by 2025. He said that Nigeria was also working hard to achieve a parasite prevalence of less than 10 percent.
He also listed interventions in collaboration with other malaria partners within the last 12 months such as the seasonal malaria chemoprevention for young children who are under the age of five years, the distribution of 24, 675, 236 insecticide treated bed nets to some states, the training of health workers for improved diagnosis and the strengthening of the malaria surveillance system amongst others.
Dr. Olorunimbe Mamora, the Minister of State for Health, also said that malaria continues to remain a disease of major public health significance in Nigeria as it has affected over 98 percent of the population.
