Malaria continues to be a significant threat to developing countries around the world. On top of this, healthcare and socioeconomic impacts over the last years, particularly COVID-19, have made the situation even worse.
This World Malaria Day 2022, we unpacked the current state of malaria globally and within Nigeria and the efforts made to reduce this impact. We also took a look at recent initiatives here in Nigeria and how you can help support these efforts.
Malaria infection and mortality rates
According to the 2021 World Malaria Report, there were 241 million global malaria cases in 2020. Compared to the 227 million cases recorded in 2018 and 2019, this represents a significant increase of 6.17% and highlights some of the indirect impacts caused by other stressors on the global healthcare system, like COVID-19.
However, even before the pandemic, global malaria statistics have fluctuated up and down over the years. Yet, some countries like Paraguay have managed to reduce indigenous cases to zero. There is an evident disparity in the burden of malaria across regions.
We see this become more apparent by looking at the World Malaria Report across the African region. Amongst the 241 million cases recorded globally in 2020, over 228 million (or 95%) of the cases were in Africa. And even within Africa, there is rampant inequality over the impact of the disease. According to the most recent findings, just four African countries accounted for over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.9%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (13.2%), the United Republic of Tanzania (4.1%), and Mozambique (3.8%).
With almost a third of global malaria deaths (up from 23% in 2019), Nigeria is in the most critical need of support. Targeted and personalised solutions must, and have been, deliberately and consistently implemented to curb this disparity and mitigate the destructive nature of this disease in the regions most affected – but we must do more.
If we pull together, Nigeria can still shift from a cautionary tale to a shining example of effective disease and healthcare management.
Indirect impacts on malaria infection
Ultimately, there are periphery impacts that amplify and aggravate the rates of infection and the effects of the disease on a population. As can be ascertained by the disparity mentioned above, many contributing factors impact the mortality risks from malaria.
Malaria Strain – Five parasite species induce malaria in humans. The most deadly iteration is the P. falciparum parasite, the most prevalent malaria species in sub-Saharan Africa. Symptoms appear after 10-15 days and, if left untreated, can develop into severe illness and death within just 24 hours.
Population – As of 2022, Nigeria’s population is around 216.7 million. It is the most populous country in Africa, meaning a potentially greater risk from epidemics and higher infection rates. The larger population also means more strain on hospitals and other medical services or support structures, especially during a pandemic.
Youth Levels – The risk of malaria mortality is much more prevalent in young children. According to the 2021 World Malaria Report, children under five years of age accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths within the African continent. With Nigeria’s high youth population, this adds additional risk.
Poverty Levels – According to recent reports, as many as 4 in 10 Nigerians live below the national poverty line. Living in poverty impacts health in various ways – From reduced access to healthcare facilities to generally poorer health conditions and nutrition levels. The already impaired health effects of poverty make malaria infection, and mortality rates increase significantly.
COVID-19 and Other Health Risks – The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the health sector in myriad ways. Additional strain on health facilities and weakened immune systems have caused malaria infections to rise considerably. Compacted with other viral infections, like HIV, make the population even more susceptible to malaria infection and mortality. The World Malaria Report postulates that approximately two-thirds of the year-on-year increase in malaria mortality rates in Africa from 2019 to 2020 can be attributed to Covid disruptions.
Malaria-to-Zero
Despite large scale investment into various malaria intervention efforts and programs over the years, Nigeria is still struggling to slow infection rates. Since 2020, this task has only become more complex.
In the last decade, the primary government malaria prevention program has been the Nigerian Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), as part of the National Malaria and Vector Control Division. The focus of the NMEP is to coordinate and facilitate policies and initiatives of stakeholders on malaria control efforts.
In 2014, the NMEP initiated a National Malaria Strategic Plan that ended in 2020. The Goal of this Strategic Plan was to reduce the malaria burden to pre-elimination levels and bring malaria-related mortality to zero.
The objectives of the National Malaria Strategic Plan aligned with the core mission of the NMEP – ‘To provide equitable, comprehensive, cost-effective, efficient and quality malaria control services ensuring transparency, accountability, client satisfaction, community ownership and partnership.
In this mission, our Malaria-to-Zero initiative was born.
Our joint Malaria-to-Zero program launched six years ago, on World Malaria Day in 2016. The initiative was a cooperative effort between the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), Access Bank, and the HACEY Health Initiative. Malaria-to-Zero aims to leverage an innovative financing platform to collate and leverage the resources, capabilities, and proven expertise of private sector organisations in our growing network to address market failures impeding the malaria elimination program in Nigeria.
Though the National Malaria Strategic Plan has since run its course, the efforts of the NMEP and Malaria-to-Zero initiative are still going strong and are more critical than ever before. As is evident with the high infection and mortality rates in Nigeria, there is still much work ahead of us. However, with support from all stakeholders, particularly the greater population of Nigeria, we genuinely believe we can achieve the goal of reducing malaria to zero, once and for all.
Zero malaria - the way forward
On the 14th of April 2021, Nigeria launched the implementation of the Global Fund 2021-2023 Malaria grant to support the elimination of the disease and to help build a resilient, sustainable system for health across the country.
This initiative aims to accelerate progress towards reducing the malaria burden in Nigeria. The Malaria grant follows the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) grant initiated previously by the government.
Speaking on this initiative, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehnaire, said, “malaria remains a public health challenge. While Nigeria witnessed the largest reduction in malaria death in 2019…we must be mindful of other challenges posed by COVID-19 and work to mitigate the impact. We appreciate all the partners that have been working with us to achieve the desired goal.”
At PSHAN, our mission is to be the go-to business-led platform that mobilises resources and capabilities and leverages them to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system. While our main effort in supporting the elimination of this terrible disease once and for all is our Malaria-to-Zero program, we have several other initiatives providing hands-on support.
There is no single solution to Nigeria’s healthcare challenges; we must collaborate and communicate as effectively as possible to eliminate these terrible diseases from our homes and families.
Join PSHAN now, and let us bring about a better tomorrow together.
