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Lagos State Health District V has disclosed that more than 978,000 malaria cases were treated across public and private health facilities in 2025, highlighting the continued burden of the disease in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the District, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, made this known during the 2026 World Malaria Day commemoration held at the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Secretariat on April 29, 2026.
He stressed the need for residents to adopt proper health-seeking behaviour, warning against self-medication and urging strict adherence to prescribed malaria treatment as part of efforts to eliminate the disease.
Asiyanbi also simplified key malaria control messages for stakeholders, outlining the state’s core intervention pillars of Prevention, Testing, Treatment, and Tracking.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing free malaria diagnosis and treatment in public health facilities, as well as ensuring the availability of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), rapid diagnostic test kits (mRDTs), and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs).
The event, held in line with this year’s global theme, “Malaria is Preventable and Treatable: Together, We Can Eliminate It,” featured advocacy and community engagement activities aimed at strengthening efforts toward malaria elimination in Lagos. Stakeholders, including representatives from the private health sector, were in attendance.
A major highlight of the programme was a technical presentation by the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Dr. Abimbola Oshinowo, who outlined key policies, progress, and strategies driving malaria control in the state.
She noted that malaria remains a major public health challenge, particularly among children under five, contributing significantly to illness and death.
“Over 978,000 Malaria cases were treated across public and private health facilities in Lagos State in 2025, underscoring the need for sustained intervention and increased community participation,” she said.
The programme also featured a panel discussion themed: “Barriers to Test and Treat Adherence,” where experts examined challenges affecting effective malaria management.
Panellists, including Dr. Abiodun Oshunsanya of Harvey Medical Centre, Ajeromi; Dr. Shosanya Abidemi, Medical Officer of Health, Ojo Local Government; Dr. Oshinowo; and community representative, Hon. Bashiru Ajayi, identified poor adherence to diagnostic results, over-reliance on clinical diagnosis, self-medication, and low community awareness as key issues.
They called for increased health education, stronger community engagement, and improved trust in diagnostic tools to enhance treatment outcomes.
The event also highlighted the importance of environmental sanitation, proper waste disposal, and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites as essential preventive measures.
