Agency The Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Society for Family Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on an initiative to combat malaria in Lagos. This was contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday. According to the statement, under the World Bank-supported Malaria Impact Project, the SFH is deploying innovative strategies to reduce the malaria burden by enhancing prevention and treatment services in both public and private healthcare facilities in the state.
It said Nigeria was among the countries most affected by malaria, with over 97 per cent of the population at risk. It added that in 2021, Nigeria accounted for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden and 31 per cent of malaria-related deaths, predominantly affecting vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women. The statement explained that the Lagos State Impact Project seeks to address these disturbing figures by aligning with the National Malaria Strategic Plan and implementing evidence-based interventions.
“The MoU, signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, and SFH’s Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, underscores a strategic partnership focused on reducing malaria prevalence through enhanced prevention and treatment services. “This collaborative effort is being supported by the World Bank to strengthen healthcare delivery across both public and private facilities in Lagos,” it said. During the MoU signin.