Nahimat Adekoga
The 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey report has shown that there is a 35% decline in malaria prevalence in the country since the last malaria indicator survey conducted in 2010.
The report which was launched recently by the federal government, showed a remarkable decrease in the prevalence of the disease among children under five and major improvements in prevention and treatment.
According to the report, “Overall 27% of children age 6-59 months tested positive for malaria by microscopy in the 2015 Survey. Malaria in children is most common in Kebbi with 64% and Zamfara 63%, while less than 10% of children tested positive for malaria in Kogi, Borno urban, Abia, Imo, Rivers and Lagos.”
The survey was implemented by the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, National Population Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics.
During the launch of the report in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said the 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey was different from that of 2010 because its data was disaggregated to provide state specific indicators which also provided the opportunity to develop state specific malaria control strategies as the country moved towards malaria elimination.
He said there were a lot of improvements in most malaria indicators between the 2010 and 2015 reports.
The minister said it is notable that prevalence of malaria parasites among children under five years of age has decreased from 42% in 2010 to 27% in 2015.
Adewole said in spite of the improvements, the country was still far from the vision of a malaria free Nigeria, adding that the report should help government and partners reappraise its efforts to fight malaria in line with the current National Malaria Strategic Plan.
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