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The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eliminating malaria, as the world marks the 2026 World Malaria Day.
Speaking during a press briefing, he described this year’s theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must,” as both a call to action and a message of hope.
He noted that while global efforts have led to major successes, malaria remains a serious public health threat, particularly in Africa where the majority of deaths occur. “Despite remarkable gains, malaria continues to pose a significant challenge, especially among children under five,” he said.
Dr. Ba’amlong highlighted Nigeria’s progress, stating that malaria prevalence has dropped from 42 percent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2025. He attributed this to improved access to preventive measures such as seasonal malaria chemoprevention, insecticide-treated nets, and prompt diagnosis and treatment.
The Commissioner, however, emphasized that Nigeria still bears a high burden of malaria cases and deaths globally. He warned that challenges such as funding gaps, drug and insecticide resistance, climate change, and weak health systems continue to threaten progress.
Focusing on Plateau State, Dr. Ba’amlong described the state’s achievements as “remarkable and unprecedented.” He revealed that malaria prevalence declined significantly from 21.4 percent in 2018 to 18.8 percent in 2021, and further to 2.8 percent in 2025.
“This represents an extraordinary 87 percent reduction, the highest recorded decline among states in Nigeria,” he stated, adding that the success is a result of strong leadership, effective partnerships, and community engagement.
He explained that through the State Malaria Elimination Programme, over one million children were reached with preventive treatment during the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. “We achieved over 100 percent coverage in seasonal malaria chemoprevention across communities,” he added.
Dr. Ba’amlong also noted that more than 400 health facilities across the state have been supported with free malaria testing kits, drugs, and other commodities, improving access to treatment, especially for children and pregnant women.
Despite the progress, he cautioned that the fight is not over. “Residual transmission in vulnerable communities, low use of preventive tools, and funding constraints remain key concerns,” he said.
He called for sustained investment and innovation, urging stakeholders to strengthen surveillance systems, expand preventive therapies, and invest in new tools such as malaria vaccines and next-generation nets.
The Commissioner further appealed to residents to take responsibility by adopting preventive measures. “Sleep under treated nets, test before treatment, complete your medications, and keep your environment clean,” he advised.
Dr. Ba’amlong expressed appreciation to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and development partners for their support, noting that their contributions have positioned Plateau as a leading example in malaria control.
He concluded with optimism, saying, “Malaria elimination is achievable. With collective effort and sustained commitment, Plateau State can achieve zero malaria in the near future.”
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