The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eliminating malaria, citing significant progress in reducing prevalence and improving access to prevention and treatment services.
Speaking at a press briefing to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day themed “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must”. with the slogan “Let’s Do It!”, Baamlong described the occasion as a call to intensify efforts toward a malaria-free Plateau State, Nigeria, and the world.
He highlighted global progress, noting that billions of malaria cases and millions of deaths have been averted over the past two decades. However, he warned that malaria remains a major public health challenge, particularly in Africa, which accounts for about 95 percent of global deaths.
Focusing on Nigeria, the Commissioner said the country continues to bear a high malaria burden but has recorded steady improvements. He cited the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (2025), which shows a decline in malaria prevalence among children from 42 percent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2025, attributing the progress to interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, rapid diagnostic testing, and effective treatment.
Baamlong noted that Plateau State has made exceptional progress, with malaria prevalence dropping from 21.4 percent in 2018 to 2.8 percent in 2025, an 87 percent reduction, the highest recorded nationwide. He credited this achievement to strong leadership, effective partnerships, and community engagement.
According to him, over one million children have been reached monthly through seasonal malaria chemoprevention across thousands of communities, while hundreds of health facilities now provide free malaria testing and treatment, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
The Commissioner acknowledged the support of development partners, including Malaria Consortium, GHSC-PSM, and PATH-REACH, for strengthening supply chains and surveillance systems.
Despite the progress, the Commissioner identified ongoing challenges such as funding gaps, resistance to drugs and insecticides, and climate-related factors affecting mosquito breeding. He called for increased investment, improved use of preventive tools, and stronger community participation.
Baamlong urged residents to adopt preventive measures, including sleeping under treated mosquito nets, seeking proper diagnosis before treatment, and maintaining clean environments.
He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his support to the health sector, noting that the administration’s policies have strengthened malaria control efforts in the state.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that with sustained commitment and collaboration, Plateau State is on track to achieve zero malaria in the near future.