Ekiti Provides Malaria Treatment To 800,000 People In 18 Months – Commissioner

Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Oyebanji Filani, has announced that the state government has treated over 800,000 people for malaria in the past 18 months as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease.

Filani explained that this figure includes both preventive care for pregnant women and curative treatment provided at the 177 primary healthcare facilities across the state, along with other healthcare centers.

In a statement released in Ado Ekiti on Friday, Filani highlighted that malaria treatment, including medication, consultation, and other services under the Ulerawa Programme, is offered free of charge at these centers. He urged residents to seek prompt medical attention at these facilities if they experience malaria symptoms.

Speaking on the latest efforts of the state government on malaria, Filani said, “In terms of rapid diagnostic tests, which allow us to test for malaria, we have done 683,000 in the last 18 months.

“For preventive medications which we give to pregnant women and for the treatment, we have done cumulatively about 800,000 of that. We have also distributed nets across the state.

“For instance, during the 2025 World Malaria Day last month, we distributed over a thousand nets to pregnant women and children under five to ensure that they get adequate cover”.

On Malaria burden in the state, the commissioner said, “Going by the last data, it is about 20.8 per cent, but with all the interventions that we have put in place, at the next survey, it would have come down drastically.

“We have State Health Vanguards who go around the state ensuring that people know the activities that we do and also test people for malaria, and should there be any issue, there will be an appropriate response.

“We are taking all necessary steps to reduce Malaria prevalence, working with our colleagues in Environment, Education, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene sectors to provide the necessary information that enables people to change their attitude to lead malaria-free lives.

“We have very clear engagement on a regular basis using traditional and new media to continue to remind people of the preventive measures ensuring that they are able to use nets and keep their houses clean of stagnant water which could breed mosquitoes.

He further noted that the state government is also working to strengthen the capacity of healthcare facilities to effectively manage malaria cases.

Filani added that malaria vaccines, expected to be available in the coming months, would offer an additional opportunity to significantly reduce the disease’s prevalence in the state.