Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of malaria globally, with millions of cases reported annually. The entire country is at risk of malaria transmission, with the northern regions experiencing seasonal transmission and the southern regions having year-round transmission.
Globally, in 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries.
The WHO African Region bears a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. The region was home to 94 per cent of malaria cases (approximately 233 million) and 95 pe cent of malaria deaths (around 580,000). Children under five years old accounted for about 80 per cent of all malaria deaths in the region. Four African nations, including Nigeria, collectively contributed to more than half of all global malaria-related deaths. Nigeria alone accounted for 31.3 per cent of these fatalities, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6 per cent), the United Republic of Tanzania (4.1 per cent), and Niger (3.9 per cent).
In Nigeria, malaria continues to pose a substantial public health challenge, being the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with approximately 97 million cases and 300,000 deaths reported annually. While progress has been made in alleviating the burden of this disease, there remains a significant amount of work ahead to achieve its elimination.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by certain types of mosquitoes. It primarily occurs in tropical countries; the infection is caused by a parasite and does not spread directly from person to person. The disease largely affects children under the age of five and pregnant women, with severe cases leading to death.
Insufficient funding and inadequate environmental sanitation present major challenges in the efforts to control and prevent malaria.
Many families sink deeper into poverty, continuously bearing the financial burden of treating their loved ones with malaria.
Nigerians typically pay around N5,500 for uncomplicated malaria cases and approximately N15,000 for severe cases, varying based on the healthcare facility.
The economic burden of malaria in Nigeria was estimated at $1.6b (N687 billion) in 2022 and may increase to about $2.8b (N2 trillion) in 2030.
Regrettably, despite this huge economic burden, many Nigerians remain vulnerable to malaria as the country bears the disproportionate brunt of the malaria toll, accounting for 27 per cent and 23 per cent of global cases and deaths respectively, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In 2023, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) provisionally approved the R21/Matrix M malaria vaccine developed by researchers at Oxford University.
Dr. Godwin Ntadom, the National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), announced that the malaria vaccine would be introduced in Beyelsa and Kebbi states by the end of 2024.
Government health agencies should ensure accessibility of the malaria vaccine in all areas of Nigeria. Establishing mobile vaccination clinics that visit remote villages can improve accessibility. Malaria vaccines should be affordable for all. Subsidies or waivers can help reduce costs.
Certainly, the need for increased research funding to combat malaria in Nigeria is undeniable. The international community must recognise the importance of scaling up funding for malaria control, similar to their aggressive pursuit of COVID-19 prevention and control. Investment in research, including the development of an antimalarial vaccine, is crucial for regional elimination and future eradication efforts.
The government at national and subnational levels should also actively seek a permanent cure for the malaria burden in Nigeria.
