The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has disclosed that malaria drains Nigeria’s economy by over $1.1 billion annually in lost Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This revelation was made during the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), where the minister described malaria as both a pressing economic and developmental emergency that requires urgent action.
In a statement by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, Prof. Pate highlighted the disease’s significant impact on Nigeria: “Nigeria accounts for 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 31 per cent of global malaria deaths.”
The minister further stated, “In 2022 alone, over 180,000 Nigerian children under the age of five lost their lives to malaria. This is not just a health crisis; it is an economic and developmental emergency. Malaria reduces productivity, increases out-of-pocket health expenditures, and compounds the challenges of poverty.”
Prof. Pate emphasized the importance of leveraging the newly introduced malaria vaccine in Nigeria, calling it a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against the disease. The launch of AMEN, he noted, aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the administration’s renewed hope agenda.
The minister stressed the need for a community-based approach, stating, “Traditional and religious leaders must be involved in driving grassroots support and behavioural change, complementing AMEN’s advocacy for the use of insecticide-treated nets, chemoprevention, and vaccines.”
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, highlighted the critical role of the advisory council in steering Nigeria toward malaria elimination. He said, “The group of experts will provide evidence-based advisory to help the country reduce its unacceptable malaria burden. For us to succeed, the private sector, international partners, healthcare workers, and the communities we serve must be harnessed and coordinated.”
The advisory body, comprising globally recognized experts, has been tasked with developing evidence-based strategies, ensuring malaria elimination is prioritized in government budgets, and creating accountability frameworks to sustain progress.
Malaria, caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites, remains a significant health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. According to Prof. Pate, tackling the scourge of malaria is not only essential for public health but also vital for Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
