In 2025, Lagos State Health District V reported that over 978,000 cases of malaria were managed across both public and private medical centers, highlighting the persistent challenge of this illness in the region.
During the 2026 World Malaria Day event on April 29, 2026, at the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Secretariat, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, the District’s Permanent Secretary, urged residents to embrace appropriate health-seeking behaviors. He cautioned against self-medicating and emphasized following prescribed malaria treatments to help eradicate the disease.
Asiyanbi broke down crucial malaria control strategies for stakeholders, focusing on the state’s main intervention areas: Prevention, Testing, Treatment, and Tracking. He reiterated the government’s pledge to offer free malaria diagnosis and treatment at public health facilities and to supply insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), rapid diagnostic test kits (mRDTs), and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs).
The event, aligned with the global theme “Malaria is Preventable and Treatable: Together, We Can Eliminate It,” included advocacy and community engagement efforts to boost malaria elimination in Lagos. Representatives from the private health sector also participated.
A key moment was a technical talk by Dr. Abimbola Oshinowo, the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager. She outlined major policies, achievements, and strategies guiding malaria control in the state. She noted that malaria continues to be a significant public health issue, especially for children under five, causing considerable illness and death. She stated, “More than 978,000 malaria cases were handled in both public and private health facilities across Lagos State in 2025, showing the urgent need for sustained action and greater community involvement.”
The program also featured a panel discussion titled “Barriers to Test and Treat Adherence,” where experts explored challenges to effective malaria management. Panelists, including Dr. Abiodun Oshunsanya from Harvey Medical Centre, Dr. Shosanya Abidemi, Medical Officer of Health for Ojo Local Government, Dr. Oshinowo, and community leader Hon. Bashiru Ajayi, pointed to poor adherence to test results, excessive reliance on clinical diagnosis, self-medication, and low community awareness as major obstacles. They called for enhanced health education, stronger community participation, and greater trust in diagnostic tools to improve treatment results.
The event also underscored the importance of environmental cleanliness, proper waste management, and removing mosquito breeding sites as key preventive actions.