The Plateau State Government, in collaboration with Plateau State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP), development partners, stakeholders, on Saturday commemorated the 2026 World Malaria Day 2026 with a call for sustained action to eliminate malaria across the state and Nigeria.
The event, held at Crystal Hall, Crispan Suites in Jos, was themed “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” with the slogan “Let’s Do It.” Activities began with a sensitization health walk from Air Force Roundabout to the venue, aimed at raising public awareness on malaria prevention.
The ceremony attracted key stakeholders, including development partners, State Malaria Elimination Programme officers, healthcare workers, students of health institutions, and officials from the Plateau State Ministry of Health.
Representing the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Ngo Josephine Piyo, Dr. Benjamin Garkuwa Sumi described the day as an opportunity to reflect on progress made and reinforce commitment to ending malaria, a disease he noted remains a major public health burden in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria accounts for nearly a quarter of global malaria cases and deaths, with an estimated nine to ten deaths occurring every hour due to malaria-related complications. Despite this, he highlighted significant progress, noting that malaria prevalence in the country has declined over the years, while Plateau State has recorded even more remarkable gains.
He disclosed that malaria prevalence in Plateau dropped from 18.8 percent in 2021 to 2.8 percent in 2025, attributing the success to coordinated efforts by the State Ministry of Health and the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), supported by development partners.
Dr. Sumi also cited achievements in key interventions, including over 100 percent coverage during the 2024 and 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns and a 96 percent success rate in the 2024 Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) distribution campaign. He added that malaria commodities such as rapid diagnostic kits and treatment drugs are currently being supplied to over 400 health facilities across the state.
He urged residents to adopt preventive measures, including consistent use of treated mosquito nets, environmental sanitation, early testing, and proper antenatal care for pregnant women.
In his remarks, the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, commended stakeholders and partners for their roles in reducing malaria prevalence in the state. He emphasized the importance of environmental sanitation, noting that recent sensitization campaigns and clean-up exercises were part of broader efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
Baamlong expressed optimism that Plateau could achieve near-zero malaria prevalence in the coming years if collective efforts are sustained, adding that the state currently ranks among those with the lowest malaria burden in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Program Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme, Nurse Kizito Ndak, described the celebration as both a milestone and a strategic platform to evaluate progress and chart the way forward.
He credited the reduction in malaria prevalence to interventions by partners such as the Malaria Consortium and other global health initiatives, as well as increased public awareness driven by media campaigns and community outreach activities.
Ndak stressed the need for continued adherence to preventive practices, including maintaining clean environments, eliminating stagnant water, sleeping under treated nets, and seeking prompt medical testing and treatment.
In his keynote address, Dr. Elijah Otopka described malaria as one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases globally, noting that Africa accounts for about 95% of deaths, with Nigeria bearing a major burden. He said the campaign against malaria is not just a celebration but a call to urgent action.
Dr Otopka highlighted major progress in Plateau State, where malaria prevalence dropped from 18.8% in 2021 to 2.8% in 2025. He attributed this success to interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, seasonal malaria prevention, rapid testing, and improved treatment services.
He called for increased domestic funding, stronger health systems, and investment in research and innovation. He urged all stakeholders to work together, saying, “We have the tools, the knowledge, and the political will—now we must end malaria.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Malaria Consortium, Dr. Mbwas Mashor reiterated that while progress has been made, sustained commitment is necessary to prevent a resurgence of the disease. He noted that over one million children in Plateau have benefited annually from preventive malaria treatments under the SMC programme.
He called on government, policymakers, communities, and partners to strengthen investments and adopt data-driven strategies to accelerate malaria elimination.
Similarly, a representative of the World Health Organization, Muoghah Abere Favour, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Plateau State and Nigeria in combating malaria. She emphasized prevention through the use of treated nets, timely access to treatment, and improved environmental hygiene.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously agreed that while the gains recorded are significant, sustained collaboration and public participation remain critical to achieving a malaria-free Plateau State and Nigeria.
