Kano State Government Reaffirms Commitment to Malaria Elimination at 2025 World Malaria Day Celebration
The Kano State Government today joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 World Malaria Day at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano. The event was graced by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who highlighted the State’s significant strides towards malaria elimination and renewed the call for collective action under the theme
"Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite".
In his remarks, Dr. Yusuf noted that between 2000 and 2023, global efforts prevented 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths, with Africa bearing the greatest burden. He stressed that malaria remains a leading cause of outpatient visits in Kano, contributing to 60% of hospital consultations in 2024 alone. Over 4.1 million hospital visits were attributed to malaria, with 99.5% of cases successfully treated with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs).
Under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano State has intensified its efforts against malaria through various strategic interventions, including:
Procurement and Distribution: Continuous supply of anti-malarial commodities across 1,565 health facilities via "Last Mile Delivery" systems.
Training of Healthcare Workers: Focused on improving malaria diagnosis and treatment.
Community Engagement: Reviving community case management through health influencers across 19 LGAs.
Drug Administration Campaigns: Collaboration with partners leading to the distribution of over 3.5 million doses of malaria preventive drugs (SPAQ) to under-five children.
Insecticide-Treated Net Campaigns: Over 7.7 million ITNs distributed to children under five years, aiming to prevent over 75% of malaria cases.
Funding Support: Allocation of 10% from the Kano Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) towards malaria elimination activities.
Dr. Yusuf highlighted that these interventions have contributed to a decrease in malaria prevalence in Kano from 32.4% to 26% according to the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS 2021), compared to the previous NMIS 2015 figure of 32.4%.
He further emphasized the need for continued environmental hygiene, urging citizens to eliminate stagnant water, clear blocked drains, and keep their surroundings clean to stop mosquito breeding.
The Commissioner expressed deep appreciation to development partners including WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, Society for Family Health, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and many others for their unwavering support. He also acknowledged the role of media organizations as critical partners in promoting malaria elimination efforts.
Dr. Yusuf concluded by calling on all stakeholders government, private sector, civil society, and communities to sustain the momentum towards making Kano State malaria-free.
