Victoria Mbangwa
Ogun State is setting an ambitious goal to become the first malaria-free state in Nigeria by 2030, as part of a broader effort to eliminate the disease.
Dr. Tomi Coker, the state’s Commissioner for Health, revealed this vision during a debriefing on the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) Campaign at the Ministry of Health’s conference room in Abeokuta on Monday.
Coker’s statement came after a recent distribution of 2.5 million treated mosquito nets across Ogun. This initiative, supported by the Society For Family Health (SFH), the Federal Government, and other development partners, aims to curb the spread of malaria, which remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the achievements of other countries, Coker cited Egypt’s recent success in being declared malaria-free, noting it as a motivational example for Ogun. She expressed optimism, stating, “Egypt has shown us that it is possible, and if we apply the right strategies, we too can achieve this by 2030.”
She said, “I am hoping that by 2030, Ogun State can be the first state that can be declared malaria-free.
“We have got a small population that is manageable, and if we work hard at it and put the right things in place, coupled with the new Malaria vaccine, we too can aspire and ensure that by 2030 even if we are not there, we must have moved very close to achieving this lofty dream.
“Egypt has shown us that it is possible, so we can follow in their footsteps too.
“What is also important to me now is to ensure that the people use the nets in their hands. How they will hang it now is what I am bothered about, I am thinking of deploying the resources that are already available within the system to support the people in hanging the net.
“I am also thinking that probably we can employ a carpenter for each ward for one month to help go around these households and help them in fixing these nets, we can do this if I can have the list of the households with the nets. If we don’t do this, we will still find out that we are still where we were.”
Despite the success of the campaign, some logistical hurdles were encountered, as noted by Dr. John Ocholi, Project Director at SFH. While the original target was to distribute 2.9 million nets, only 2.5 million were successfully handed out. Ocholi explained that some recipients faced financial constraints, such as lack of transport money or immediate food needs, making it difficult for them to collect the nets. However, the campaign team was quick to educate residents on the importance of the nets in preventing malaria and maintaining good health.
The remaining nets will be distributed through government health facilities, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five, who are most susceptible to the disease.
Ogun’s malaria-free goal by 2030 is not just about distributing nets but ensuring a holistic approach that includes public education, community involvement, and strategic partnerships. By leveraging both local and national support, the state is positioning itself as a leader in the fight against malaria, with the hope that this effort will inspire other states to follow suit.
