In celebration of the 2025 World Malaria Day (WMD), health experts have intensified calls for more preventive measures against the scourge, saying it is the best way to guide against it.
The experts, who spoke Saturday in Abuja, at an outreach organised by Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), FCT branch, in collaboration with Gwagwalada Area Council, said malaria remains one of the leading cause of death in Nigeria.
The experts said reports have confirmed that there are over 66 million cases of malaria reported annually.
Speaking at the event, Chairman, FCT branch of PSN, Pharmacist Salamatu Orakwelu, stressed the importance of grassroots education to assist in the elimination of the disease.
He recommended elimination of mosquito breeding sites and increased local drug production in order to help in ending the malaria scourge, urging residents of Gwagwalada to take ownership of malaria prevention.
Orakwelu also called for widespread awareness campaigns beyond the event venue, stressing that the prevention message should not just remain at the Gwagwalada community.
She stated that the campaign should be taking to the churches, schools, and mosques, while also cautioning against drug abuse and self-diagnosis, which she said it is a common practices among Nigerians.
She further called on government authorities to invest in research and local production of antimalarial medications to strengthen the drug supply chain.
“Most times, the first thing that comes to our mind once we have fever is malaria. People should ensure proper testing and avoid abusing antimalarial drugs,” she said.
Also speaking, Director of Primary Health Care at Gwagwalada Area Council, Dr Adeyemi Adeniran, noted that, though malaria is entirely preventable, it continues to claim millions of lives due to poor perception and weak health systems.
Adeniran added that the solution lies in taking health services to the grassroots, “which are often underserved due to shortage of personnel.”
“In Nigeria, more than 66 million people come down with malaria every year. One out of three deaths is attributed to malaria. People still believe malaria is just a minor disease, yet we record malaria-related deaths daily especially among children and pregnant women. It is 100 per cent preventable.
“We take the health system down to their doorstep. This is because we are closer to the people, but we need more human resources for healthcare at the community level,” he said.
Speaking on emerging solutions, Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT Chapter, Pharmacist Aloba Isaac, said malaria vaccine is a promising development, but that some of them are undergoing trials.
“In Nigeria, there are malaria vaccines available. But you must ensure there’s no trace of malaria parasite in your system before taking them. Malaria is a deadly disease that many ignore because it’s so common. Yet it kills easily, especially among infants and pregnant women,” he said.
Isaac urged the government to foster continuity in malaria intervention programmes and build partnerships with relevant agencies to sustain the fight.
Some of beneficiaries at the event expressed gratitude for the free services.
Adisatu Isa appreciated the organisers for testing her and providing her with medication.
On his part, Johah Utah, stated that the organiser’s attended to people very well, saying such an initiative would be beneficial to people in the rural areas if the government can put up more of it in the communities.
Blueprint reports that the outreach featured free testing, distribution of insecticide-treated nets and public sensitisation.