- Abayomi noted that many patients who believe they have malaria are actually battling viral infections
- Lagos is edging closer to eliminating malaria entirely, attributing the progress to improved surveillance
- Lagos health authorities show that malaria now accounts for just 1.3% of fever cases statewide
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, states that malaria has become less prevalent in the state, urging residents to rely on proper testing and avoid taking medications based on assumptions rather than confirmed diagnoses.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Abayomi revealed in a Channels Television interview that comprehensive lab investigations by top scientists show malaria now causes only three to four of every hundred fever cases in Lagos, marking a significant public health milestone for the state.
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The commissioner urged Lagos residents to always demand test results before accepting a malaria diagnosis, stressing that the diagnosis must be proven and not assumed.
He criticised the widespread “malaria-typhoid” label, describing it as a misleading and dangerous trend that encourages unnecessary use of antimalarial drugs, antibiotics, and painkillers.
Abayomi noted that many patients who believe they have malaria are actually battling viral infections that mimic its symptoms and would recover faster with rest and isolation, rather than aggressive treatments.
He added that Lagosians often prefer injections or IV fluids even when such treatments are unnecessary.
According to him, Lagos is edging closer to eliminating malaria entirely, attributing the progress to improved surveillance, robust testing, and integrated health systems linking public and private facilities.
He suggested that neighbouring states like Ogun and Oyo could adopt similar strategies, as malaria remains more prevalent in those areas.
Latest data from Lagos health authorities show that malaria now accounts for just 1.3% of fever cases statewide, a sharp decline achieved through strengthened case management and digital tools for tracking the disease.
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