Enugu State  government has said that  the determination to promote a healthy citizenry that could contribute to productive growth was responsible for the deliberate and sustained effort that culminated in the reduction of malaria prevalence in the state.

A recent national survey indicated that the state’s prevalence rate for malaria has reduced from 24 percent to 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2026. The state Commissioner for Health, Prof George Ugwu, dropped the hint, as the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) has begun the provision of health insurance coverage for 1,000 pregnant women in Enugu State in support of the government’s efforts against malaria.

Ugwu, told a gathering to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day in Enugu, that the feat was made possible by the enabling environment provided by Governor Peter Mbah that enabled players in the field of malaria to intervene in the state.

He stated that the players intervened in all the 527 public health institutions cutting across the state with free malaria testing and treatment, adding that some selected hospitals were also involved.

“Look around you, you can see billboards telling you to stop malaria. Not every fever is malaria. We are mobilising our people. We are doing a lot of medical outreach to the underserved, carrying drugs and everything to those places to ensure our people no longer die of malaria. Our target is to wipe out malaria completely from the state”, he said.

Ugwu stated that the international partners working in the malaria space had been of immense help to the state, adding that they had not only provided awareness but material support in the desires of the state government.

He added that the state had pursued the idea of cleanliness of her environment even to the grassroots, stressing that it was committed to whatever can make life meaningful for the public.

He added that the target was to achieve “zero” tolerance for malaria, stressing that it was achievable by the level of infrastructure now going on in the health sector in all the wards of the state.

ECEWS are partnering Enugu State government, Federal Ministry of health, World Health Organisation and Jhpiego to transition from malaria containment to elimination.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of ECEWS, Dr Andy Eyo, said the organisation was working to remove financial barriers preventing pregnant women from accessing quality care in Nigeria.

He said that the 1,000 pregnant women being provided  with health insurance, would have their premiums paid to the state universal health coverage agency, which would make  them to receive antenatal care and deliver free of charge at hospitals of choice.

He added that the initiative would also ensure beneficiaries participate in Malaria in Pregnancy services, adding that the state recorded a decline in malaria prevalence from 24.5 per cent to 9.9 per cent.

Also speaking, Country Project Manager for Jhpiego, Dr Bright Orji, said Nigeria has taken steps to prevent antimalarial drug resistance reported in some African countries.

“Nigeria contributes about 24 per cent of global malaria deaths and 38 per cent of deaths among children under five. Drug resistance could worsen the situation,” Orji said.

He explained that under the STOP-AMDR project, Nigeria is piloting Multiple First-Line Therapies in Enugu and Kwara states.

He said the approach involves the use of different effective Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies simultaneously to reduce pressure on parasites and sustain treatment effectiveness.

Orji also said the malaria vaccine is being introduced into the country’s immunisation programme, targeting children under five, with phased rollout across selected states.

A representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr Adaeze Ugwu, said efforts to eliminate malaria require sustained commitment, noting that funding gaps and climate factors remain challenges.

She reaffirmed the organisation’s support for strengthening primary healthcare systems in the state.