Nigeria Loses Over $1.1bn Annually to Malaria, Health Minister Says
Professor Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has revealed that the country loses more than $1.1 billion annually to malaria, a significant blow to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He stated, "Malaria continues to have an unacceptable impact on Nigeria. With 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global deaths, our country carries the heaviest burden. In 2022 alone, over 180,000 Nigerian children under five died from malaria—deaths that are preventable."
Pate further explained that malaria hampers productivity, increases out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and exacerbates poverty, which makes the economic loss of $1.1 billion each year even more alarming.
The minister described the formation of the advisory body as a crucial and bold step in addressing the disease. He emphasized that malaria elimination is central to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which aligns with the current administration's renewed hope agenda.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, stressed that the advisory body, comprising renowned global experts, will provide evidence-based recommendations to reduce Nigeria's malaria burden and develop a clear path toward a malaria-free nation.
The advisory group, led by Professor Rose Leke, will focus on advancing solutions to current malaria challenges, ensuring that malaria elimination is prioritized in government budgets, and creating frameworks to hold all levels of government accountable for progress. The ministers also highlighted the importance of engaging traditional and religious leaders, the private sector, international partners, healthcare workers, and communities in the fight against malaria.
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