The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire says the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) would generate the much needed data to help the country review its strategies.
Dr. Ehanire, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary said this in Abuja on Wednesday during the inauguration of the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey.
The minister said the last in-country malaria indicator survey was conducted in 2015, during which information derived from the study provided Nigeria the opportunities to ascertain the progress made.
According to him, malaria remains a major cause of hospital attendance in Nigeria noting that the World Malaria Report 2020 indicates that the prevalence of malaria was more associated with children under five years and pregnant women and was the cause of estimated 94,070 deaths and 61 million malaria cases.
However, Ehanire said that there had been significant achievements recorded with the huge investments made by partners and the government.
He said based on the trajectory in the achievements being recorded over time, there has been a gradual paradigm shift from malaria control to elimination.
The minister said this was made clear by evidences tracked over the years and the use of innovative technologies in activity implementation.
He said that government and partners have committed funding and provided technical and logistic support in the control efforts.
Dr. Ehanire therefore said it is expedient to assess what had been achieved and to utilise the information garnered to guide decision making and strategic planning.
The minister further said that when the survey was completed, it would reflect how the key findings align with the performance framework of the operating National Malaria Strategic Plan.
