The Enugu State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria, revealing that the state has reduced malaria prevalence among children under five from 24 per cent to 9.9 per cent through sustained interventions and expanded healthcare access.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George O. Ugwu, disclosed this during his briefing to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day celebration at the Ministry of Health in Enugu, describing the progress as a major public health victory for the state.
Ugwu said malaria remains one of the deadliest parasitic diseases globally and continues to pose a serious threat in Nigeria and Enugu State, particularly among children under five and pregnant women.
“Malaria is one of the deadliest parasitic diseases in the world and remains a severe public health challenge in Nigeria and in our beloved Enugu State. It continues to be a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among children under five and pregnant women,” he said.
He noted that between 2015 and 2021, malaria parasite prevalence among children under five in Enugu rose sharply from 10.5 per cent to 24 per cent—higher than the national average—making urgent intervention necessary.
“Faced with this reality, Enugu State has demonstrated commitment to the malaria fight through strategic interventions including free diagnostics, treatment, prevention tools, and expanded community-based programs. We have achieved a remarkable reduction in prevalence to 9.9% in 2025.
“This is a significant victory for our state, showing that progress is possible when government, partners, and communities work together,” he stated.
The commissioner, however, warned that the gains remain fragile due to challenges such as extreme weather events, insecurity, humanitarian emergencies, economic pressures, and growing resistance to antimalarial drugs and insecticides.
“Yet, this hard-won gain remains fragile. We must therefore act with urgency and determination to sustain and accelerate our progress,” he said.
Speaking on the 2026 World Malaria Day theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” Ugwu said the state now has the tools, science, vaccines, diagnostics, and proven interventions needed to eliminate the disease.
“For the first time in history, the tools, science and strategies to eliminate malaria are within our reach.
“Now We Can—we have the capacity, vaccines, diagnostics, and proven interventions to make elimination possible.
“Now We Must—we must act decisively to prevent resurgence, because malaria does not wait. When interventions slow, malaria resurges rapidly and lives are lost,” he said.
He reiterated the state’s public health campaign slogan, “Zero Malaria Starts with Me,” stressing that not every fever is malaria and urging residents to adopt preventive measures such as sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, elimination of stagnant water, early testing, and completion of treatment.
“Our rallying cry remains: Zero Malaria Starts with Me. NOT EVERY FEVER IS MALARIA. Every individual has a role to play,” he said.
Ugwu said Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has made malaria elimination a top health priority, with major investments in free malaria testing and treatment across hundreds of health facilities, equitable access to rapid diagnostic testing and first-line therapies, stronger data systems, and integration of malaria services into primary healthcare.
He added that as part of this year’s commemoration, the government would enroll 1,000 pregnant women into the State Health Insurance Scheme to protect mothers and babies, recognize outstanding health workers for exceptional service, and carry out community sensitization and medical outreach.
Activities lined up for the celebration include a press briefing and road walk on April 28, free test-and-treat outreach in five communities on April 29, and a high-level consultative grand finale at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on April 30.
The commissioner also appreciated development partners including ECEWS, Jhpiego, WHO, UNICEF, and media organisations for their support in strengthening malaria response efforts across the state.
“Let us remember: malaria elimination is not just about statistics. It is about children growing up healthy, mothers protected, and communities thriving.
“The tools exist, the science is clear. What is needed is sustained action, innovation and commitment.
“Enugu can end malaria. Enugu must end malaria. And together, Ndi Enugu, we will defeat malaria,” Ugwu declared.
