World Malaria Day: U.S. pledges to foster robust malaria services in Nigeria 

• Says malaria deaths in Nigeria decreased from 194,000 in 2021 to 188,480 in 2022
• Nation missing as Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone roll out mass vaccination

The United States government has pledged to foster robust and effective malaria services with Nigeria.

It stated that its President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has helped save over 10.6 million lives and prevented 1.7 billion malaria infections globally since 2000.

Noting that malaria deaths in Nigeria has decreased from 194,000 in 2021 to 188,480 in 2022, the U.S. government said that prevention of malaria in the country has contributed to the overall global success of the PMI programme.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Nigeria among the five countries that contributed to the global increase of malaria cases in 2022.

This was even as the country was said to be missing as three West African Countries – Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone – launched large-scale malaria vaccine programmes under an Africa-focused initiative, which hopes to save tens of thousands of children’s lives per year across the continent.

According to the organisation, the Global malaria report of 2023 showed that in 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases in 85 malaria endemic countries and the African region shoulders the heaviest malaria burden with a contribution of 94 per cent and 95 per cent of malaria cases and deaths respectively.

Deputy Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria Mission, Sara Werth, who disclosed this at an event organised by the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and the Federal Ministry of Health to mark the 2024 World Malaria Day in Abuja, observed that the WHO estimates that Nigeria had nearly 67 million cases in 2022, accounting for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden, 31 per cent of global deaths and 38 per cent of global deaths in children aged under five years.

Werth stated that as a result of PMI procuring and distributing 90 million insecticide-treated bed-nets, over 180 million Nigerians are now protected from malaria, adding that over three million children under five years of age are protected from malaria after PMI assisted in administering 35 million doses of malaria preventive treatment.

She observed that the U.S. government has since 2011 invested over $914 million in Nigeria, averaging approximately $73 million a year and this funding brings with it a wealth of expertise from across the globe to address the significant challenges in Nigeria.

Werth noted that the WHO estimates that Nigeria had nearly 67 million cases in 2022, accounting for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden, adding that also in 2022, Nigeria accounted for 31 per cent of global deaths and 38 per cent of global deaths in children aged under five years.
She urged the Federal Government to recognise malaria as a priority within the Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) and its significance to the achievement of the strategic vision for the health sector (2023-2026).

She also advised the Federal Government and the private sector to invest in making malaria programmes more efficient and effective using data and other evidence to inform malaria implementation and drive faster results.

“As we commemorate World Malaria Day today, we celebrate this success and recognise the fight to eliminate this deadly disease. In Nigeria and across the world, fighting malaria is a smart investment to protect health, create opportunities and foster growth and security,” she added.

In his remarks, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, stated that over the years, malaria has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable populations including pregnant women, infants, children under five years of age, refugees, migrants and internally displaced people, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequity.

He observed that climate change and humanitarian emergencies, including natural disasters and conflicts in malaria-endemic countries, are displacing populations, making them vulnerable to the disease and this reduces opportunities for accessing preventive and treatment services by these groups thus hindering progress on achieving the vision of a malaria-free world.

He said: “Amidst these challenges, there is cause for hope. Together, under the guidance of FMOH/NMEP we have made remarkable strides in malaria control and prevention, thanks to the tireless dedication of individuals and organisations across the country. Through robust surveillance, innovative interventions and strengthened health systems, we have saved countless lives and prevented untold suffering.”

Mulombo, who was represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Dr. Alex Chimbaru, noted that the Nigerian government’s commitment to turning the tide in the fight against malaria is evident by its signing the Yaoundé Declaration in March 2024 in which the Federal Government through the Minister of Health and Social Welfare pledged to accelerate efforts to reduce malaria deaths.

“The fight against malaria is not just a health issue; it is a matter of social justice and human rights. By accelerating our efforts to expand access to life-saving interventions, improve health systems and address the underlying determinants of malaria transmission, we can create a more equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We also need to bring the communities in the planning and prevention of malaria.

“The upcoming roundtable meeting next week is also a testimony of commitment to reduce morbidity and mortality due to malaria. This meeting will provide a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to explore innovative strategies and optimise our resources for a better impact. Your participation and contributions will be invaluable as we chart a course towards a malaria-free future for Nigeria,” Mulombo said.

Earlier, the National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Godwin Ntadom, recalled that the World Malaria Day was first commemorated in Nigeria by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000 in Abuja with 44 heads of states in attendance.

He noted that April 25 every year was set aside to raise awareness on the global efforts to control and ultimately eradicate malaria.

The Guardian learnt that since October 2021, the WHO has recommended broad use of the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.

The vaccine, it was gathered, has been shown to significantly reduce malaria and deadly severe malaria, among young children. In October 2023, WHO recommended a second safe and effective malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M. The availability of two malaria vaccines is expected to make broad-scale deployment across Africa possible.

According to a statement from the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are scheduled to roll it out next year through support from Gavi.

GAVI Chief Programme Officer, Aurelia Nguyen, emphasised that the introduction would play a vital role in preserving lives and providing much-needed relief to families, communities and healthcare systems.

GAVI said Benin has 215,900 vaccine doses intended for children as young as five months old; Sierra Leone has 550,000 doses while Liberia has 112,000 doses.