FIC Report (Lagos State) – The declaration was made during the mid-term review of the Impact Project and the roadmap toward malaria elimination in Lagos on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, commended the Lagos State Government for its leadership and dedication in the fight against malaria.
“I commend the Lagos State Government for pioneering this initiative and for its unwavering dedication to malaria control. This effort shows that with determination and innovation, we can overcome even the toughest challenges,” the minister said.
Pate appreciated national and international partners for their collaboration, reaffirming the Federal Ministry of Health’s commitment to supporting Lagos through the National Malaria Elimination Programme.
In his keynote address, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to transitioning from a high malaria burden to a pre-elimination stage, ultimately paving the way for a malaria-free Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu stated that 24 million Nigerians have sight loss – DUFUHS VC
He emphasised the importance of reviewing field data to ensure the effective use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests and proper reporting from private pharmacies and PPMVs.
“This review is focused on accountability, scale, quality, and community ownership.
“We cannot tackle malaria just by focusing on clinics. Households and communities must step up by eliminating breeding sites, getting tested promptly, and trusting the health system,” the governor said.
In June, the FG reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with states to eliminate malaria, recognising the disease as a critical public health challenge.
With efforts focused on reducing the prevalence and impact of malaria, the government said it aimed to strengthen strategies that would accelerate progress towards a malaria-free nation.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said this in Abuja, in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations of the ministry.
“This strategy fosters collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments, enabling better tracking of annual operations and implementation plans at the state level under a unified healthcare policy,”
Signed
Okeke Okeke
SIO
12/09/20
