The Lagos State Ministry of Health has partnered with the Society for Family Health to combat malaria through a recent Memorandum of Understanding. This initiative aims to reduce the malaria burden in Lagos by improving prevention and treatment services in healthcare facilities, with a focus on vulnerable groups like children under five and pregnant women.
Nigeria faces a high malaria risk, with a significant percentage of the population affected by the disease. The partnership aligns with the National Malaria Strategic Plan and implements evidence-based interventions to address the alarming rates of malaria-related deaths in the country.
The collaborative effort, supported by the World Bank, seeks to strengthen healthcare delivery in both public and private facilities in Lagos. The project emphasizes expanding access to malaria prevention tools, such as insecticide-treated nets, and enhancing diagnosis and treatment services.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of the MoU by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health and SFH’s Managing Director. The project will focus on improving malaria diagnosis and case management, including the use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests and microscopy. Community engagement, behavior change, and Public-Private Partnerships for Malaria Elimination are also key areas of focus for the initiative.