The Lagos state government, in partnership with the Society for Family Health (SFH) and the World Bank, has launched a Public Enlightenment and Media Campaign on Malaria Prevention and Management.
The initiative, part of the Malaria IMPACT Project, aims to drive the state toward malaria pre-elimination, with prevalence now near 1%, down from 15% in 2010.
The campaign focuses on four pillars: Prevent, Test, Treat, and Track. It will leverage radio, television, billboards, social media, and community engagement to promote accurate information on malaria.
SFH Nigeria’s managing director, Omokhudu Idogho, emphasised the importance of testing before treatment, noting that over 90% of fever cases in Lagos are not malaria-related. He also urged the proper use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) to prevent drug resistance.
Jennifer Anyanti, SFH’s Deputy Managing Director, highlighted training for community pharmacies and medicine vendors to improve testing and referrals.
She stressed the role of data in tracking malaria and encouraged preventive measures such as environmental sanitation and the use of insecticide-treated nets.
The campaign seeks to sustain Lagos’ progress and move closer to malaria elimination through informed health choices and community action.