Health Minister Announces Strategies To Combat Malaria As Vaccine Rollout Begins In Kebbi, Bayelsa

Africa accounted for 95 percent of the 244 million malaria cases and 608,000 deaths worldwide in 2022, according to the most recent data from the World Health Organization — AFP

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Pate introduced new plans to address the increasing challenges of malaria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nigeria, soon after the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) announced the vaccine distribution will start in Kebbi and Bayelsa states on Dec. 2.

Speaking in a broadcast on Sunday via the official X handle, Pate said this week marked an important milestone for Nigeria, as the country started rolling out malaria vaccines in all local governments in Bayelsa and Kebbi states.

U𝐍V𝐄I𝐋I𝐍G M𝐀L𝐀R𝐈A V𝐀C𝐂I𝐍E R𝐎L𝐋O𝐔T S𝐂H𝐄D𝐔L𝐄

This week, we are pleased to announce the roll out of malaria vaccines in some of the most hard-hit parts of our dear country.

This comes at a time when H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's @officialABAT administration,… pic.twitter.com/EYgdRHqHFk
— Muhammad Ali Pate (@muhammadpate) December 1, 2024

The effort to eliminate malaria was not only focused on the vaccine, but also on other important measures. Pate emphasized that the government was working at all levels to implement preventive measures, ensure treatment was available, and protect lives.

He also mentioned key initiatives to fight malaria, such as working with the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) and creating the Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN).

Pate further said that earlier this year, the government identified key actions to fight malaria and speed up its elimination. This included creating a detailed plan that outlines costs and priorities.

The minister explained that the reforms aimed to improve how malaria cases were treated and make sure treatments were affordable and accessible through partnerships with global programs like the Affordable Medicines for Malaria initiative.

He also mentioned that Nigeria's health workers were being retrained to improve testing, treatment and community awareness.

The minister mentioned that AMEN recently held its first meeting in Abuja, chaired by Emeritus Professor Rosa Leki, who explained that AMR was a serious threat to global health.

AMR happens when microorganisms become resistant to medicines, making it harder to treat life-threatening infections. The minister said that these efforts were designed to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare system and make the country a leader in health security in Africa and worldwide.

He also highlighted the importance of the second National Plan on AMR and the National Genomic Surveillance Strategy, as part of Nigeria's Health Sector Renewal Investment initiative.

The minister noted that combining genomic surveillance with AMR efforts will help Nigeria detect and respond to new health threats. This collaboration strengthens Nigeria's role in the global fight against AMR and enhances public health security.

The minister also shared that Nigeria has been chosen to host the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial meeting on AMR in 2026, highlighting the country's progress.