The Oyo State Government has embarked on actions to end malaria in the state by operationalizing the malaria reference laboratory to guarantee accurate diagnoses, prompt and effective treatment for every suspected case.
The Commissioner for health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this at the 2025 World Malaria Day, held at Akinyele Local Government Area, Secretariat, Moniya, Ibadan.
She explained that the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has released counterpart funds for the forthcoming insecticide treated net campaign to every household for use of the net.
While stressing on the theme for this year’s celebration 2025 celebration “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite” with the slogan “Stay Committed”, the commissioner revealed that the ministry of health has intensified the community’s sensitization, expanded rapid diagnostic testing and treatment access, trained frontline health workers, volunteers and enhanced surveillance and reporting systems through the partnership with Private Organizations, Religious bodies, ward development committees, National Malaria Elimination programme, PMI-S, GHSC-PSM, WHO, Rotary and the Malaria Consortium.
She stressed further that Malaria has remained a relentless adversary in Nigeria, claiming countless lives and undermining the well-being of our communities.
In her words: ‘Malaria poses a severe threat to public health, especially in areas where resources are scarce and access to care is limited. Children under five and pregnant women bear the greatest burden, as malaria not only robs individuals of their health and opportunity but also stalls socio-economic progress and diminishes quality of life across entire communities.”
“We must translate our commitments into action by implementing evidence-based policies, securing robust funding, engaging communities as active partners, and holding ourselves accountable for measurable results.”
In his remarks, the Chairman, Akinyele Local Government Area, Hon. Akinwale Akinyele, commended the efforts of the Ministry of Health for ensuring that people at the grassroots benefits from the free Malaria society project.
The Chairman, who was represented by the Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Olaronke Ige, said that the Akinyele local government has taken serious steps to make sure that people of the local government live in a healthier and conducive environment.
He encouraged residents of Akinyele to take malaria prevention seriously, urging them to properly use insecticide-treated nets and promptly visit appropriate healthcare facilities for diagnosis and treatment.
He commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his outstanding performance across all the sectors, particularly as it relates to achieving Goal 3 of the sustainable development goals.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of the World Health Organisation, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, US President Malaria Initiative for State PMIs, GHSC- PSM, WHO, Malaria Consortium and host of others lauded the Oyo state government for creating an enabling environment for the actualization of partnership arrangements, assuring the government of continuous collaboration and support towards achieving zero malaria in oyo state.
The event was rounded off with free malaria testing, distribution of prevention materials, health education sessions, and a road walk to raise public awareness across communities.
