Kano State recorded more than two million malaria cases in 2024, with health officials warning that the situation is worsening as the rainy season peaks. The state government estimates that about 40 percent of residents are affected, highlighting malaria as one of the leading public health concerns in the region.
According to a report by Mediaplusng.com, Nigeria remains the country with the highest malaria burden globally. The World Malaria Report 2022 revealed that Nigeria accounted for 27 percent of all malaria cases worldwide and 31 percent of related deaths. The 2023 report further showed that nearly 74 percent of malaria deaths globally were among children under five, while pregnant women continue to face serious risks.
In Kano, hospitals such as the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital are filled with patients seeking treatment for malaria fever. Healthcare workers say the surge in cases is linked to stagnant water, poor waste management, and increased mosquito breeding due to heavy rainfall. Patients and caregivers continue to voice concern about access to treatment and the dangers the disease poses to vulnerable groups.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the Kano State Government has introduced several measures to reduce the spread of malaria, including environmental sanitation campaigns, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, and plans to integrate the malaria vaccine into childhood immunization programmes. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, assured residents that more resources are being deployed to tackle the challenge.
Public health experts believe that environmental cleanliness, proper waste disposal, and consistent vaccination programmes will play a key role in reducing the malaria burden. They maintain that with sustained commitment, Nigeria can move closer to becoming a malaria-free nation.
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