Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Others Record Significant Decrease In Malaria Positivity

Akwa Ibom State has recorded a significant decrease in malaria test positivity rates comparing baseline data from 2019 to 2024.

This meant a reduction from 75 per cent to 42 per cent reflecting development partners’ commitment and health workers’ redolence.

Mr Dozie Ezechukwu, country representative of Management Sciences for Health (MSH) made this known during the end-of-project dissemination event by the US President Malaria for States (PMI-S) in Uyo, the state capital.

Ezechukwu also added that Cross River witnessed a similar reduction in Malaria Positivity from 77 per cent to 53 per cent, Ebonyi from 85 per cent to 56 per cent, and Oyo from 74 per cent to 52 per cent during the period.

In his remarks, the US President’s Malaria Initiative for States coordinator in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ime Akpan, noted that the success story of reduction in malaria prevalence was made feasible by the dedication and selfless efforts of all the stakeholders.

Both MSF and PMI for States have been working with the state government in partnership towards malaria elimination in the state.

Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State commissioner for health, Prof Augustine Umoh urged stakeholders to renew their energy in the campaign against malaria prevalence in the State and commended USAID’s President’s Malaria Initiative for State (PMI-S) for impactful collaborative efforts statewide.

According to the Commissioner, “Today’s event marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to tackle malaria, a disease that continues to pose a severe threat to the health and well-being of our people.”

Represented by the Ministry’s Director of Public Health Services, Dr. Etop Antia, the Commissioner disclosed that, more than 97 per cent of the Nigerian population is at risk of malaria, and that the disease is responsible for about 60 per cent of outpatient visits and 30 per cent of hospital admissions.

“Furthermore, malaria contributes to 11 per cent of maternal mortality and 30 per cent of infant mortality, thus underscoring the need for sustained and strategic interventions to combat this disease”, he stated.

Prof. Umoh noted that “over the past five years, PMI-S has achieved remarkable progress in this direction. However, these achievements would not have been possible without the strong partnerships forged between PMI-S, the State Government, and key institutions like the State Ministry of Health, State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), and a host of other stakeholders.”

“The Government is open to further support from partners, corporate organizations and philanthropists to free our State from malaria, and ensure a healthy and more productive life for our people,” he stated.

He thanked the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative and USAID for their steadfast commitment and investment in the State’s malaria control activities.

“As we therefore gather here to share results, discuss challenges, and celebrate lessons learned, we must be reminded that, despite the progress made so far, our fight against malaria is not over”, he noted.

The event also witnessed the presence of the representative of the Executive Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Regina Udoukpo, Directors from the State Ministry of Health, and Hospitals Management Board, among other health workers.