The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has made known that there will be a significant meeting involving key stakeholders on May 3rd, 2024, to deliberate on the execution of the Rethink Malaria Initiative.

This initiative, as emphasized by Pate, is expected to bring about a redefinition of approaches in combatting malaria within the nation. This pronouncement was made at a press briefing held on Thursday in observance of the 2024 World Malaria Day.

Commemorated annually on April 25th, World Malaria Day serves as a platform to acknowledge the collective efforts directed towards malaria control worldwide.

This year’s theme, ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world,’ has been set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO has indicated that the primary mode of malaria transmission is through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, with other potential means being blood transfusion and the use of contaminated needles.

The initial symptoms of malaria may be mild and easily mistaken for other febrile illnesses, leading to delayed identification. If left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can swiftly progress to severe illness and result in fatality within a mere 24 hours, as outlined by the global health authority.

Africa bears a significant burden of malaria on a global scale, contributing to approximately 95% of all reported malaria cases and 96% of all malaria-related deaths in 2021, as reported by the WHO. Prof. Pate, who was represented by the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, disclosed this crucial information.

Dr. Godwin Ntadom, stated ,“The meeting will convene key stakeholders from government agencies, healthcare organizations, non-governmental organizations, and international partners to strategize on innovative approaches to combat malaria effectively.

“With malaria remaining a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for renewed efforts and collaborative action to address the root causes and challenges associated with the disease.”

The minister highlighted that the initiative will leverage new technologies, strengthen healthcare systems, and mobilize resources to achieve significant progress in malaria control and elimination.

“The high-level meeting will provide a platform for stakeholders to review progress, share best practices, and identify gaps in current malaria control efforts. It will also facilitate discussions on resource mobilization, partnership building, and advocacy strategies to garner support for malaria elimination initiatives,” he mentioned .

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stated that over $50 billion has been mobilized since 2000 to support efforts to control and eliminate malaria, which has led to the prevention of 2.1 billion malaria cases and 11.7 million malaria deaths between 2000 and 2022.

Dr. Moeti highlighted that this investment has halved the malaria mortality rate, decreasing from approximately 29 deaths per 100,000 population at risk in 2000 to 14.3 in 2022, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, she mentioned that the WHO-approved malaria vaccines R21/MatrixM, following RTS,S, will be introduced in 19 countries in the African region this year. This initiative aims to provide hope for hundreds of thousands of at-risk children who are vulnerable to malaria-related deaths.

“The last World Malaria Report demonstrates how malaria disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, rural communities, and displaced populations.

“Infants and young children represent about 80% of the mortality, while studies show that children under the age of five from the poorest households in sub-Saharan Africa are five times more likely to be infected with malaria than those from the wealthiest households.

“In addition to children and women, other high-risk groups have been identified in some areas, such as refugees, migrants, and internally displaced populations.

“In 2019-2022, 41 malaria-endemic countries suffered humanitarian and health emergencies, and about 258 million people needed assistance because of health and humanitarian emergencies in 2022 alone. These populations have poor access to health services and require tailored interventions to fit their needs,” she added.

Sara Werth, Deputy Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria Mission, revealed that malaria deaths in Nigeria have dropped from 194,000 in 2021 to 188,480.

She credited this decrease to the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) distributing 90 million insecticide-treated bednets, protecting more than 180 million Nigerians from malaria.

Additionally, PMI has administered 35 million doses of malaria preventive treatment, safeguarding over three million children under the age of five.

The US Government’s investment of over $914 million in Nigeria since 2011, averaging $73 million annually, has brought global expertise to address significant challenges in the country.