MALARIA CLAIMS NINE LIVES HOURLY IN NIGERIA – SFH

The Society for Family Health (SFH) has raised the alarm over the staggering impact of malaria in Nigeria, disclosing that the disease claims nine lives every hour across the country.

Speaking during a media orientation on the forthcoming distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign in Kano, the SFH’s Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Sesugh Deborah Oryiman, described malaria as a persistent yet preventable health crisis threatening the lives of millions — particularly children under five and pregnant women.

According to Oryiman, Nigeria shoulders a quarter of the global malaria burden, with an estimated 110 million cases annually and contributing significantly to child and maternal deaths in the country.

“Two out of every four malaria patients in West Africa live in Nigeria, and one in five global malaria deaths occurs here,” she said, warning that the disease continues to drain the country’s health system and economy.

She said SFH, in collaboration with other partners, plans to distribute 7.7 million treated nets and over 15 million doses of SPAQ medication to children aged between 3 and 59 months across Kano State.

She also noted that malaria accounts for 30 percent of child deaths and 11 percent of maternal deaths, pointing out that its economic toll is equally devastating, reducing Nigeria’s GDP by as much as 40 percent annually.

Despite these statistics, she said there has been modest progress, with national malaria prevalence dropping from 27% in 2015 to 22% in 2021. However, she stressed that more efforts are needed, especially at the household level.

“We must encourage consistent use of mosquito nets and ensure children receive seasonal chemoprevention drugs, especially during the rainy season,” Oryiman added.

Also speaking, the Kano State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Babangida Gwarzo, disclosed that over 27,000 community mobilisers and distributors have been engaged for the upcoming house-to-house distribution exercise, which targets more than three million children in all 44 local government areas of the state.

Gwarzo said caregivers would receive tokens to collect the ITNs and urged parents to make their children available for SPAQ administration as a key step toward reducing malaria-related illness and deaths in the state.

The campaign forms part of a broader national effort to reduce the malaria burden and improve health outcomes, especially in high-risk states like Kano.