By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has disclosed that Nigeria has succeed in kicking out 18 millon malaria cases anually through the National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP), interventions.
Dr. I,zaq disclosed this on Thursday during his inaugural address in Abuja at the three- day 2025, Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR), with the theme, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System Resilience for Sustainable and Inclusive Care”.
According to him, through the intervention at least 63 milion insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) were distributed between 2021 and 2023, to 70 per cent of Nigerian households with at least one net. 51 % of pregnant women reportedly received intermittent preventive malarial drugs.
Also, the minister noted that these results revealed the country’s commitment to tackling preventable diseases like malaria and improving access to quality healthcare at all levels.
He said, “Despite the challenges, our health system continues to record significant milestones. Malaria cases averted are estimated to be about 18 million annually, maternal and child deaths are reducing, and more women are accessing skilled birth attendants.”
The minister further highlighted evidence based key health indice.
According to the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) preliminary results, maternal mortality has declined from 576 to 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, while under-five mortality has reduced from 132 to 110 deaths per 1,000 live births, he hightlighed.
Dr. Salako decried government’s health expenditure which still stands at just 5.2 per cent of GDP, compared to the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration target, while out-of-Nigerians into poverty.
The minister reiterated government’s commitment to reverse disease trends through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which adopts a sector-wide approach to ensure synergy among government, partners, and civil society.
Among key interventions, he cited the expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which has improved absorption capacity from 45 per cent in 2019 to 78 per cent in 2023, and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which now provides coverage for over 20 million Nigerians through pooled care mechanisms.
Over 37,000 health workers have been employed since 2023, with plans to address brain drain through a new Health Workforce Migration Policy, as well as rural retention incentives and diaspora engagement.
Dr. Salako also revealed the Power for Health Initiative, aimed at ensuring reliable electricity in health facilities through green and hybrid energy solutions, and a push to strengthen the Nigeria Digital Health Initiative (NDHI) to improve service delivery and data management nationwide.
While acknowledging the “commendable progress” made, the minister said Nigeria’s pace of improvement is still insufficient to meet the health needs of over 230 million citizens.
He urged all stakeholders, federal, state, local governments, and development partners to redouble efforts toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and a truly resilient Nigerian health system.
“Only healthy people can produce a prosperous, secure, and great nation. Let us join hands to deliver health to our people and make Nigeria great again,” Salako said.
