LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Kwara State government has credited its malaria control efforts for reducing infection rates by 50 percent, but health authorities say stagnant water, poor sanitation and other environmental conditions continue to fuel mosquito breeding across communities.
During the Kwara State Malaria Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) Quarterly Meeting and the inauguration of the State Malaria ACSM Working Group in Ilorin, health authorities announced that through sustained efforts, they have reduced malaria prevalence from 26 percent to 13 percent.
They described the achievement as a major milestone in its fight against one of Nigeria’s leading public health challenges.
Despite the progress, the government warned that poor environmental sanitation remains the biggest contributor to malaria transmission, accounting for nearly 60 percent of infections.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director of Public Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, represented by the State Malaria Control Coordinator, Dr Kazeem Oladapo, said environmental conditions continue to fuel mosquito breeding across communities.
“Environmental conditions account for nearly 60 percent of malaria transmission,” Fakayode said.
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He added that poor sanitation remains one of the country’s biggest malaria risk factors.
“More than half of malaria cases in Nigeria can be traced to poor sanitation, stagnant water and other conditions that encourage mosquito breeding,” he added.
Fakayode urged policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, stressing that improved environmental management must go hand in hand with existing malaria prevention strategies.
According to him, the quarterly meeting was organized to improve coordination of malaria advocacy activities across the state, encourage greater community participation and increase the use of malaria prevention and treatment services in health facilities.
Notably, the Data Analyst for the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego) STOP Antimicrobial Drug Resistance Project, Jeremiah Ngutor-Ulaa, said stronger partnerships are essential to sustaining malaria control efforts while preventing drug resistance.
“Nigeria can prevent widespread antimalarial drug resistance through the appropriate use of combination therapies and strengthened collaboration among partners,” Ngutor-Ulaa said.
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He added that Jhpiego would continue working with existing health structures while promoting public awareness and accountability to strengthen malaria interventions.
Earlier, the state’s ACSM Desk Officer, Yemisi Ajala, identified climate change, environmental conditions, behavioural practices and social factors as key drivers of malaria transmission in Kwara.
She also expressed concern over the inconsistent use of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) by many households despite their proven effectiveness in preventing mosquito bites.
Ajala, however, commended the state government for sustaining key malaria control programmes, including mass distribution of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention for children, community sanitation campaigns and the implementation of the “Test, Treat, Track” policy to improve malaria diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.
Ultimately, the State government has reiterated its commitment to working with partners and communities to further reduce malaria cases, noting that improved sanitation and consistent preventive practices will be critical to achieving long-term malaria elimination.
