The Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it is scaling up interventions against malaria and strengthening its monitoring systems.

The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, stated this at the commemoration of the 2025 World Malaria, in Abuja on Friday.

The event, held at Asokoro District Hospital, offered free malaria testing and treatment, sensitised residents on ways to prevent malaria, and provided information on how to access free malaria services.

Fasawe added that the secretariat was also collaborating with partners at local, national, and international levels to stem the scourge of malaria in FCT.

She implored residents to take advantage of the free malaria testing services and make good use of the insecticide-treated nets provided.

“These represent our government’s commitment to this fight.

“Together, we can build a future where no child dies from a mosquito bite, a future where malaria is a thing of the past, and every community is healthy, safe, and thriving,” she said.

She pointed out that malaria remains one of the leading causes of hospital visits and admissions across the six area councils of the FCT.

She noted that many rural and peri-urban communities still lack access to effective malaria prevention and treatment.

According to her, the economic toll is significant – reducing productivity and increasing healthcare expenses for families and the government.

“Malaria affects an estimated 18.8 per cent of our population, with rural communities experiencing the highest transmission rates.

“We record around 1.4 million cases of malaria annually and only 31.1 per cent of residents have access to Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets, and just 42.2 per cent of children sleep under them.”

Fasawe said that the world malaria day with the theme, “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, was a powerful reminder that “we all have a role to play in ending malaria”.

“Malaria is both preventable and treatable, yet it continues to affect many lives, especially children under five years, pregnant women, and people living in hard-to-reach areas with limited access to healthcare.

“This must not continue.”

She reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to reinvest in its healthcare systems, reimagine how it fights malaria, and reignite its energy, its sense of urgency, and its unwavering commitment.

She said: “We must renew our determination to end malaria once and for all, but the government cannot do it alone.

“We need everyone’s support – health workers, parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community members alike.”

Also, the Permanent Secretary in the secretariat, Dr Babagana Adam, explained that April 25 of every year was set aside to raise awareness about malaria prevention, testing and treatment.

“Our gathering today shows our commitment to taking action and strengthening the efforts of the FCTA to fight this preventable and treatable disease.

“We recently began a valuable partnership with FAMKLIS to ensure antimalarial drugs are available free of charge in our health facilities.

“Today, we continue that effort; everyone here will be able to get tested and receive a free insecticide-treated net,” Adam said.

Dr Kumshida Yakubu of the World Health Organisation, said that the organisation was proud to be part of Nigeria’s commitment to ending malaria.

Yakubu particularly said that the WHO was supporting FCT’s End Malaria Campaign, by ensuring more homes have mosquito nets to protect families and more children get vaccinated to prevent malaria.

She added that the organisation was also supporting the territory to ensure that more health centres have medicines and more communities take part in malaria education.

On his part, Dr Kolawole Maxwell, Director, West and Central Africa Programme, Malaria Consortium, stressed the need to act decisively against malaria, amidst conflict, humanitarian crises, climate change and shrinking resources.

Mawell, who was represented by Dr Jennifer Chukwumerije, a Technical Specialist, commended the FCT Malaria Elimination Programme and the Primary Health Care Board for their tireless efforts in ensuring the health and wellbeing of residents.

He also hailed the success of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in the FCT, protecting thousands of children under five from malaria.

“This is commendable, and I congratulate the FCT for this achievement,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru