By Sarah NEGEDU
Over five percent of the population of the Federal Capital Territory, suffer from malaria, with the FCT contributing significantly to Nigeria’s malaria prevalence rate.
According to the Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the FCT Administration, Nigeria is responsible for 27 percent of global malaria prevalence, with the FCT accounting for 1.4 million people.
Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who disclosed this at the flag off of unbundling and distribution of free anti-malaria drugs and test kits, noted that malaria remains major killer of women and children under five and women.
“Only one thing causes malaria, which is mosquito. If we can eliminate mosquitoes, we can eliminate malaria. However, the network of roads provided by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike have provided access to communities during emergencies.
“Today, we have taken a decisive and deliberate action to fight malaria. Malaria remains a leading a cause of death among children under five and women.
“Nigeria is responsible for 27 percent of global malaria prevalence, the highest figure in the world. A survey carried out by the World Health Organisation, WHO, in 2024 says 1.4 million people of the population of FCT suffer from malaria. The FCT is between 5 to 6 million population, making it 5 percent of malaria prevalence.”
She also noted that a survey in 2024 shows that 60 percent of children presented in the FCT presented clear cases of of malaria.
Fasawe, disclosed that the FCT paid up its 2024 counterpart funding for the project co funded by the Islamic Development Bank which enabled the territory participate in the programme this year.
She said the fight against malaria is a fight for life, as every minutes, a child dies of malaria in Nigeria. “We want to kick out malaria from the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.”
She said the FCTA have decided to completely eliminate malaria, assuring that all public health facilities in the FCT have been given free health kits and free drugs and that any facility found selling would be sanctioned. Also insecticide treated nets have been made available for distribution to pregnant women and nursing mothers.
She reiterated that malaria that malaria is a preventable cause of death and that treatment will reduce drastically cases of malaria.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, said the programme would improve access to health care and reduce out of pocket money of the people.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Dr. Abubakar Ahmadu, urged health care practitioners to make judicious use of the kits and drugs.
The representative of Famkris Healthcare Initiative, Dr. Maureen Ugochuku, one of the NGOs partnering with the FCT said malaria remained Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenge.
She said the economic toll is equally devastating as households spend scarce resources on treatment, while businesses suffer during malaria attack.
