Nigeria Takes Bold Steps To Produce Malaria Vaccine

In a significant stride towards public health advancement, Nigeria is actively working on the production of a malaria vaccine to combat the deadly disease.

The Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, made this known during the unbundling and distribution of malaria drugs and free test kits in Abuja .

Dr. Fasawe emphasized that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is committed to developing a locally produced malaria vaccine.

According to her, the initiative aims to strengthen the nation’s fight against malaria, a disease that continues to pose a major health threat to millions of Nigerians.

Dr. Fasawe underscored the urgency of tackling malaria, revealing that Nigeria bears a staggering 27% of the global malaria burden, the highest in the world.

She hinted that within the country, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) alone accounts for 5% of the national prevalence, with 1.4 million residents suffering from malaria, according to a 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) survey.

Dr Fasawe lamented that malaria remains a leading killer of children under five and women, emphasizing that efforts must be channelled towards eliminating mosquitoes, the sole cause of malaria.

“Only one thing causes malaria, which is mosquito. If we can eliminate mosquitoes, we can eliminate malaria. Thank God, the network of roads provided by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have provided access to communities during medical emergencies”.

“As part of the malaria eradication efforts, the FCT Minister paid the counterpart funding last year, enabling the territory’s participation in the malaria unbundling program this year”.

Dr. Fasawe noted that the fight against malaria is a fight for life, highlighting that a child dies every minute in Nigeria due to malaria.

The two-year malaria prevention and treatment program includes the provision of free test kits and medication, with additional supplies planned as needed.

The Health Secretary issued a stern warning against the sale or theft of these medical supplies, stressing that any health facility found guilty of such misconduct would face strict sanctions.

Speaking at the event, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr. Abubakar Ahmadu, noted that the initiative would improve healthcare access and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for citizens. He urged healthcare practitioners to use the resources responsibly.

A partner Organization, Famkris Healthcare Initiative, Dr. Maureen Ugochuku reiterated that malaria remains Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenge, significantly impacting financial resources and productivity.

The initiative, co-funded by the Islamic Development Bank, aims to alleviate this burden and advance Nigeria’s mission to eradicate malaria.

With a locally developed vaccine in view, Nigeria is poised to take a leading role in malaria prevention, ensuring greater access to life-saving solutions and a healthier future for its citizens.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Blessing Nyor