By
Sakina Ahmed
Adamawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria through stronger partnerships, improved healthcare services, and sustained public awareness campaigns as the state commemorates World Malaria Day 2026.
Speaking at the event in Yola, the West and Central Africa Director of Malaria Consortium, Dr. Kolewale Maxwell, commended the state government and its partners for the progress made in reducing malaria cases, describing Adamawa as a model of determination in the fight against the disease.
He noted that Nigeria’s malaria parasite prevalence among children aged five to fifty-nine months had dropped from 22 percent to 15 percent, stressing that the next target should be total elimination.
Dr. Maxwell urged the media to counter misinformation on malaria prevention and treatment, adding that scientific evidence must guide all interventions.
He also called for sustainable funding from government and the private sector, saying donor support alone cannot end malaria.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Adamawa State Ministry of Health and Human Services, the Director of Public Health, Mr. Nuhu Yahya, said malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in the state, especially among children under five and pregnant women.
He said the state had recorded progress through the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, seasonal malaria chemoprevention for children, rapid diagnostic testing, and access to effective drugs.
Mr. Yahya added that surveillance systems had been strengthened to improve data collection and evidence-based decision-making.
He, however, identified poor environmental sanitation, misinformation, hard-to-reach communities, climate change, and displacement as major challenges affecting malaria control efforts.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme, Mr. Benjamin Nahon Gubi, said a week-long series of activities had been lined up to mark the day, including medical outreaches, antenatal care sensitisation, school campaigns, and community mobilisation.
He disclosed that malaria prevalence among children under five in Adamawa had reduced significantly over the years, attributing the success to government commitment and support from development partners.
Mr. Gubi urged residents to maintain clean surroundings, clear blocked drains, sleep under treated nets, and complete prescribed malaria treatment to prevent further spread of the disease.
This year’s theme is “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must.”
