The Akwa Ibom State Government has warned that malaria remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest health challenges, with more people dying from malaria complications than road accidents across the country.
The Commissioner for Health, Ekem John, made the statement on Monday in Uyo while announcing the distribution of 3.9 million insecticide-treated nets to households across the 31 local government areas of the state.
John said many Nigerians still suffer severe complications from malaria despite the availability of anti-malaria drugs and treatment options. He noted that malaria continues to cause kidney failure, hospital admissions and deaths, especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children.
He said the Akwa Ibom State Government will partner with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, the United States government and the Against Malaria Foundation to strengthen malaria prevention efforts through the free net distribution campaign.
According to him, the exercise will take place in two phases. Household registration will run from June 1 to June 7 in communities across the state, while officials will distribute the treated nets from June 20 to June 26.
John also highlighted progress in the state’s malaria control programme. He revealed that recent surveys showed a drop in malaria prevalence in Akwa Ibom from 29.9 percent to 15.5 percent through sustained intervention campaigns and improved public health measures.
He described the reduction as significant but stressed that malaria still poses a major public health threat in the state and across Nigeria.
The commissioner said the government aims to reduce malaria prevalence below five percent and eventually eliminate the disease completely through stronger community participation and continuous health interventions.
