By Taiwo Bankole
Residents of Ogun State have been urged to actively support government efforts in the fight against malaria, as stakeholders emphasised that collective action remains key to eliminating the disease.
The call was made on Saturday during a sensitisation programme organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, and the Royal Institute of Health Technology to commemorate World Malaria Day 2026.
The event, themed “Drive to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must”, was held at the Royal Institute of Health in Arigbajo, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state, and featured community outreach activities, including an awareness walk through local markets to sensitise residents on preventive measures as well as the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Public Health in the state, Dr Bamiselu Oluyomi, stressed the need for sustained awareness and public participation in malaria prevention.
Oluyomi said, “We need to continue observing a special day like World Malaria Day to help people better appreciate the importance of malaria prevention and control.
“Malaria, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women, can lead to severe complications and even death.
“In Nigeria, malaria remains a major public health challenge, as the country contributes a significant proportion of global malaria cases.
“This makes it imperative for us to intensify awareness and intervention efforts while continuously sensitising and carrying the public along so that everyone can play their part in achieving a malaria-free society.
“While the government and health workers are doing a lot, malaria control is a collective responsibility, and every individual has a role to play in preventing and reducing its spread.
“We must also prioritise the protection of pregnant women through preventive treatments while ensuring environmental sanitation by clearing blocked drains and eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.”
Also speaking, the Provost of the institute, Dr Daniel Adesanya, stressed the severity of Nigeria’s malaria burden and the importance of collaboration in tackling it.
He noted that the institute’s collaboration with the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health underscored the seriousness of the malaria burden and the urgent need for a united response.
He said Nigeria remains a major contributor to global malaria cases and deaths, adding that statistics show that for every malaria death worldwide, one occurs in Nigeria, with children under five and pregnant women being the most affected.
“These figures clearly show that if malaria is effectively controlled, Nigeria will become a much better place to live. As a private organisation, we are committed to contributing to this effort, but citizens must also play their part, especially in the proper use of insecticide-treated nets.
“I also advise healthcare providers not to ‘play doctor’ when treating malaria. Proper testing must always be conducted before treatment to preserve the effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapies. We must learn from the past, where misuse led to resistance against chloroquine, and avoid repeating such mistakes.”
Addressing newsmen, the Elejio of Ejioland, Oba Ajani Ogunmuyiwa, Arigbajo, one of the communities where the sensitisation was held, lauded the efforts of the state government and other stakeholders in the fight against malaria, pledging to join hands in combating the scourge in the state.
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