A recent newspaper report highlighting that Nigeria loses approximately $1.1 billion yearly to malaria underscores a critical public health and economic challenge that demands urgent attention. As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria bears an outsized share of the global malaria burden, accounting for 31.3 per cent of all malaria deaths and 27 per cent of cases worldwide in 2021. This staggering figure represents a loss of life and a significant economic burden that hinders Nigeria’s growth potential.
Therefore, it is essential to recognise that malaria is not merely a health issue but a substantial economic drain. The disease leads to over 60 per cent of all hospital visits in Nigeria, diverting resources from other essential health services. So, the financial impact extends beyond healthcare costs; it affects productivity and workforce participation, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.
A report by ‘Malaria No More UK’, i.e. The Malaria Dividend Report and World Economic Forum, indicates that achieving a 90 per cent reduction in malaria incidence by 2030 could add approximately $35 billion to Nigeria’s GDP. This potential uplift is critical for a nation striving to enhance its economic resilience and global competitiveness.
Therefore, as Nigeria grapples with the staggering loss of $1.1 billion yearly to malaria, innovative strategies and recent trends in preventive and curative measures, while fostering collaboration among stakeholders, present a beacon of hope by which the country can significantly mitigate the burden of this disease.
As such, investing in malaria control is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity, and the Oxford Economics Africa analysis suggests that effective malaria interventions could lead to an overall increase of $126 billion in Africa’s GDP, with Nigeria poised to benefit significantly from these initiatives. Such investments can catalyse improvements in international trade, which is projected to rise by $80.7 billion across the continent by 2030.
To realise these benefits, Nigeria must strengthen the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), which is at the forefront of this battle to leverage technological advancements, community engagement and strategic partnerships to combat this persistent public health threat. This means that Nigeria must enhance funding for the NMEP and ensure efficient allocation of resources towards preventive measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets and vaccines. The recent establishment of the Nigeria End Malaria Council is a positive step forward; however, it requires robust support and commitment from both government and private sectors to translate plans into actionable results.
Again, the country can leverage recent trends in Malaria management, latching onto Nigeria’s National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2021-2025, which outlines a comprehensive approach to reducing malaria prevalence, aiming for a parasite prevalence of less than 10 per cent and mortality rates below 50 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2025. As such, the country should step up action and deploy malaria vaccine to enhance immunity among vulnerable populations, particularly children under five; seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) initiatives of preventive treatments during peak transmission seasons; and community-based case management by extending treatment services for uncomplicated malaria into communities, to ensure broader access to care, not discounting the training of health workers nationwide to enhance diagnostic capabilities and treatment outcomes.
In addition, Nigeria should foster public-private partnerships by collaborating with the Aliko Dangote Foundation and Clinton Health Access Initiative, for instance, to enhance resource mobilisation and implementation efficiency and facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices across regions.
To further reduce malaria prevalence, various stakeholders, government agencies, NGOs, private sectors and communities must implement targeted strategies such as strengthening vector control measures by adopting innovative approaches of indoor residual spraying and equivalent actions to reduce mosquito populations significantly. Also, drones for targeted spraying in remote areas can enhance the effectiveness of these interventions.
Moreover, community engagement is vital in combating malaria effectively. Therefore, efforts should promote community engagement and target public awareness campaigns that empower communities to adopt preventive measures and seek timely treatment. In particular, sensitisation campaigns in communities should encourage using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and states should distribute ITNs effectively.
Again, the Malaria Consortium, a pilot project assessing the clinical effectiveness of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Infants (IPTi) funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to provide preventive treatment to infants at routine immunisation visits, thereby integrating malaria prevention into existing health services is underway. Evidence from this project could be used to support the nationwide adoption of IPTi as a standard practice to strengthen malaria prevention among infants.
Therefore, against the backdrop that grassroots campaigns can foster a culture of proactive health-seeking behaviour among at-risk populations, achieving effective results from sensitisation campaigns requires collaborations with NGOs and community-based organisations to amplify these efforts further, ensuring that interventions reach those most at risk.
Also, to enhance data-driven decision-making that will reduce malaria prevalence, Nigeria should prioritise data collection and analysis to inform strategic interventions. For instance, a study on insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and their epidemiological impact on malaria transmission could help refine vector control strategies based on real-time feedback and outcomes.
In addition, mobile applications should be used to remind caregivers about treatment schedules and to track the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). These tools improve adherence to malaria prevention measures and optimise resource allocation.
Nigeria is at a pivotal moment in its fight against malaria. It can turn the tide against this preventable disease by prioritising investments in malaria control and fostering community engagement. This collective commitment to innovative strategies will save lives and unlock economic potential by reducing healthcare costs associated with malaria. As Nigeria moves forward, embracing these innovative strategies will be crucial in achieving a malaria-free future. In doing so, the nation will improve public health outcomes and pave the way for sustainable economic growth.
All said, addressing malaria in Nigeria is not just about saving lives. It is about unlocking economic potential, and the annual loss of $1.1 billion due to malaria is a clarion call for action. Together, let Nigerians envision a future where malaria is no longer a threat to their families or the economy, and every Nigerian can thrive free from this preventable disease.
