Lagos State Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi announced that most fever cases in Lagos are no longer caused by malaria, marking a significant shift in the state’s health landscape. Speaking at the Mid-Term Review of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination, he cited data showing only 5.6 percent of fevers tested in informal healthcare settings were malaria-positive, with the state’s malaria prevalence at about one percent, indicating a pre-elimination phase.
Abayomi warned that treating non-malaria fevers with antimalarials without testing risks delayed recovery and complications, emphasizing the “test-before-treatment” protocol. He outlined plans to enhance diagnostic capacity, environmental health measures, and public awareness. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted the role of digital reporting systems in improving diagnostic accuracy and integrating community pharmacies into malaria control efforts.
He urged residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and adhere to testing protocols. Support from partners like the World Bank and WHO was acknowledged, with calls for sustained surveillance and data-driven strategies to maintain progress toward a malaria-free Lagos.
