Pate: Nigeria loses $1.1bn annually to malaria, health minister laments

According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) loses over $1.1 billion annually due to malaria.

As gathered by the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), Prof. Pate said this during the first meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, which took place in Abuja.

In a statement released by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun, Pate emphasized that malaria poses not only a health crisis but also an economic and developmental emergency that necessitates immediate elimination.

The minister described the launch of the advisory body as a bold and decisive measure to tackle and eliminate the disease.

Pate emphasized that malaria continues to have a devastating impact on Nigeria, accounting for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths.

He said, in 2022, over 180,000 children in Nigeria between the age of zero and five years lost their lives to malaria.

“The impact of malaria extends beyond health, representing an economic and developmental emergency that diminishes productivity, increases healthcare costs, and compounds poverty.

“The rise in malaria cases in Ogun State is a reminder that we need to keep working towards eliminating the disease, which is a key part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative framework.

Stating further, Pate, emphasized how traditional and religious leaders are essential in driving community-level support and influencing positive behavioral change.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, confirmed the advisory body’s role in providing expert, evidence-based guidance to combat Nigeria’s malaria burden and establish a realistic path towards a malaria-free nation.

Salako noted that teamwork is essential, and that includes working with the private sector, international partners, healthcare workers, and the communities they serve.

Who is Pate?

Muhammad Pate is a Nigerian physician and global health expert born in Nigeria. He received his medical degree from the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.

He later earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.

Career of Pate

Pate has had a distinguished career in global health, with a focus on improving health systems and outcomes in developing countries.

He has worked with various organizations, including the World Bank, where he served as the Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population, and also as the Director of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents.

The minister worked as the Assistant Director-General of WHO for Health Systems and Development and was the Representative of Nigeria for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Achievements and Awards received by Pate

The global expert has received several awards and honors for his contributions to global health, including the award of Honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2017 and also received the Harvard University’s Ministerial Leadership in Health Award in 2019.

Current Roles of Pate

Pate currently serves as Professor of Global Health at the Duke University Global Health Institute, Chairman of the Nigeria National Malaria Elimination Programme, and member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Africa Regional Certification Commission for Polio Eradication.

Malaria in Nigeria

Malaria is a significant public health concern in Nigeria, with the country bearing the highest malaria burden globally.

In 2021, Nigeria recorded an estimated 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths due to malaria.

Malaria Prevalence in Nigeria

The disease is prevalent throughout the country, with the northern and northeastern regions experiencing the highest incidence rates.

The risk of transmission exists year-round, making it essential for residents and visitors to take preventive measures.

Global Context

Globally, there were 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 malaria-related deaths in 2022.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths occurring in this region.

Efforts to Combat Malaria in Nigeria

The Nigerian government has implemented various initiatives to combat malaria, including the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and preventive chemotherapy.

Additionally, the country has established an integrated national malaria data repository to track progress and inform decision-making.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite these efforts, Nigeria still faces significant challenges in controlling malaria.

Emerging resistance to insecticides and antimalarial drugs poses a threat to progress.

To address these challenges, continued investment is being made on malaria control and elimination efforts, as well as research and development of new tools and strategies.

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