Malaria Day: Rising treatment cost, prevalence deepen Nigerians’ burden
As the world marks World Malaria Day 2026 today, residents across several states have decried the rising cost of malaria treatment and the prevalence of the disease, describing it as a deepening financial and public health burden on households. From Birnin Kebbi to Kano, Bayelsa, Makurdi, findings show that while malaria remains one of the […]
As the world marks World Malaria Day 2026 today, residents across several states have decried the rising cost of malaria treatment and the prevalence of the disease, describing it as a deepening financial and public health burden on households.
From Birnin Kebbi to Kano, Bayelsa, Makurdi, findings show that while malaria remains one of the most common illnesses, the cost of managing it continues to strain families, particularly low-income earners already grappling with broader economic pressures.
Across the affected communities, interviews with residents, health workers and government officials point to a troubling convergence of factors; frequent infections, expensive drugs, limited access to subsidised care and reliance on out-of-pocket spending, that are sustaining the disease’s grip on households.
Kebbi residents groan under treatment costs
In Kebbi State, residents lamented the frequency of infections and the rising cost of drugs and hospital care. Andrew Umudeh, a resident of Birnin Kebbi, said malaria has taken a heavy toll on his family’s finances.
“The malaria thing is a serious matter for me and my family. Three of my family members were treated for malaria at a private hospital here. I had earlier taken them to a public hospital but after some days they were still not feeling better, so I had to take them to a private hospital where I paid over N100,000 for their treatment,” he said.
A mechanic, Dauda Adamu, shared a similar experience, explaining that he recently recovered after spending heavily on treatment.
“I just recovered from malaria. Few days ago, I was admitted at the hospital after I had spent a lot buying malaria drugs but didn’t get better. I had to be admitted at the hospital. I had earlier treated my first child for malaria. My prayer is that none of my family members should fall sick again because the treatment is expensive. We now sleep in treated mosquito nets hoping nobody will be taken to any hospital for malaria treatment again,” he said.
A staff member of the State Primary Healthcare Management Agency, Umar Alkali, confirmed a surge in cases in recent months, particularly in Birnin Kebbi.
“Most of the cases being treated at the hospitals are malaria-related. The state government and partners are currently distributing over three million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to members of the public to reduce the high rate of malaria in the state,” he said.
Another resident, Abdullahi Augie, a civil servant, said the cost of treatment has become increasingly unaffordable.
“I don’t think there is any effective malaria drug that’s less than N3,000 if you have to resort to self-medication,” he said.
“But going to the hospital,” he added, “is something not many people can afford. My two sons are currently being treated for malaria. The first day I took them to the hospital I spent over N27,000. I don’t know how much we will be charged when they are discharged tomorrow.”
Kano residents face ‘double losses’
In Kano, residents echoed similar concerns, noting that beyond the disease itself, the cost of treatment has become the major challenge.
Findings indicate that treating uncomplicated malaria at government hospitals and primary healthcare centres now involves consultation fees ranging between N1,000 and N5,000, laboratory tests costing between N1,000 and N3,500, and drugs priced from N2,000 to N8,000. Altogether, families often spend between N4,000 and N16,000 on routine cases.
At private facilities, costs are significantly higher, with consultation fees ranging from N3,000 to N15,000, tests between N2,000 and N6,000, and drugs, injections and fluids rising to N25,000 or more. In many cases, total expenses climb to between N10,000 and N45,000.
Severe malaria cases involving complications such as vomiting, seizures, anaemia or dehydration can cost between N30,000 and over N200,000 due to hospital admission, intravenous medication and prolonged care.
In Kofar Ruwa quarters, a mother of four, Zahra’u Dahiru, said treatment has become increasingly difficult.
“Before, once a child had fever, you could quickly buy drugs and treat it. Now you need money for tests, consultation and medicine. If two children fall sick together, it becomes a serious problem,” she said.
A commercial tricycle rider in Dorayi, Ibrahim Musa, described malaria as a “double loss.”
“When I am sick, I cannot work. If I don’t work, there is no money that day. Then I still have to spend money on treatment,” he said.
Residents say these pressures often push them towards self-medication and patronage of chemists and patent medicine stores.
Hajara Sule, a resident of Sabon Titi, cited long waiting hours at hospitals as a deterrent.
“If you go to hospital, you may spend the whole day. Some people just go to the chemist, explain symptoms and buy drugs,” she said.
However, medical experts warn against such practices. A Kano-based public health physician, Dr Sani Musa, stressed that affordability remains central to malaria control.
“Many patients delay treatment because of cost. By the time they come to hospital, the illness may have worsened. Early testing and prompt treatment save lives, but services must remain affordable,” he said.
Benue households battle recurring infections
In Benue State, residents described malaria as a constant financial strain, worsened by repeated infections within households.
In Makurdi, many families reported spending at least N5,000 on the cheapest treatment options. A resident, Ada Oche, recounted her experience after falling ill.
“I was subjected to a test. After a few minutes, the result came out positive for malaria. I was told that the free anti-malaria drugs had been exhausted before my visit, so I had to go to a medicine outlet to purchase the prescribed drugs. I proceeded to a pharmacy where I bought the drugs for N4,500, and other spending totalling N15,000,” she said.
Another resident, Mercy Ochigbo, said she spends a minimum of N6,000 each time she treats malaria without hospital care.
“Let me just say I spend a minimum of N6,000 each time I treat malaria without going to the hospital. Often, I have to treat it twice before I recover,” she said.
Victor Tivlumun also lamented the cost and effectiveness of drugs.
“We have different types of anti-malaria drugs, but most are expensive and not very effective. Some cost up to N4,800 for a four-dose pack. Also, the cost of tests to determine parasite levels discourages many people and leads to self-medication,” he said.
Mrs Alice Audu said her family spends at least N20,000 monthly on malaria treatment.
“At least four out of my five household members come down with malaria every month. We source money from my petty trading to buy drugs, and none of the treatments cost below N4,000. In some cases, when it becomes severe, we go to the hospital and spend even more,” she said.
Responding, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the government is intensifying efforts to curb the disease.
He disclosed plans for another round of mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), noting that such campaigns are conducted every three to four years, with the last held in 2023/2024.
According to him, the state is also promoting community engagement and environmental management while working with traditional and religious leaders to improve acceptance of health interventions.
Ogwuche said malaria prevalence in the state has dropped from 17.6 per cent in 2021 to 11.0 per cent in 2025, attributing the progress to sustained interventions such as ITN campaigns, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp).
He added that free malaria testing and treatment are currently available in 434 health facilities across the state’s 23 local government areas and 276 wards.
Speaking during a planning meeting for the 2026 SMC campaign, the commissioner emphasised that SMC, which targets children under five, remains a scientifically proven strategy for reducing malaria-related illness and deaths.
About 1.3m vaccinated across 4 states
Even as households grapple with rising treatment costs, Nigeria has begun deploying a new tool in the fight against malaria; vaccines, with pilot rollouts in selected states, including Kebbi.
The introduction of vaccines such as R21/Matrix-M vaccine marks a significant shift in malaria control efforts, particularly for children under five who bear the highest burden of the disease.
On Tuesday, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina, said is expanding its malaria vaccination programme to additional states in a renewed push to reduce the country’s high malaria burden.
Nigeria’s malaria vaccine rollout has now moved beyond its initial pilot phase in Bayelsa and Kebbi states to include Bauchi and Ondo, following readiness assessments.
Aina said the expansion forms part of a broader effort to integrate malaria vaccination into routine immunisation in high-burden areas.
The vaccines are expected to complement existing interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, SMC and prompt case management.
Health officials, however, say despite progress in expanding coverage, the malaria vaccine presents a unique challenge due to its four-dose schedule, which requires consistent follow-up to ensure full protection.
“What is unique about the malaria vaccine is that it requires four doses, and ensuring children return for all doses remains a key challenge,” Aina said.
“In the area of coverage, a total of 984,559 children have received at least one dose in Kebbi and Bayelsa, while Ondo recorded more than 166,342 children and Bauchi 105,890.
“This brings the total number of children reached to almost 1.3 million,” he said, adding that more than 600,000 vaccine doses are currently stored in the national cold chain system for ongoing and future distribution.
Aina described vaccines as one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions, stressing their safety profile.
However, public health experts caution that vaccines alone will not eliminate malaria, especially in a country like Nigeria, which accounts for a significant share of global malaria cases and deaths.
They said malaria remains highly prevalent in Nigeria due to a combination of environmental, socio-economic and systemic factors. The country’s tropical climate provides ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, particularly during the long rainy season when stagnant water accumulates in open drains, poorly managed waste sites and flood-prone areas.
Rapid urbanisation without adequate drainage infrastructure has also contributed to the proliferation of mosquito breeding sites in both rural and urban communities.
In addition, poverty and limited access to healthcare mean many Nigerians delay seeking treatment or rely on self-medication, allowing infections to worsen and transmission to continue.
Experts also point to gaps in preventive measures. While millions of mosquito nets have been distributed, consistent usage remains a challenge due to factors such as heat, discomfort and lack of awareness.
Children under five and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, accounting for the majority of severe cases and deaths. According to health authorities, malaria contributes significantly to child mortality and lost productivity across the country.
The economic burden is equally severe. Beyond direct treatment costs, malaria leads to lost workdays, reduced household income and increased pressure on already stretched health systems.
Health officials say the introduction of vaccines could help reduce severe cases and hospitalisations, but stress that sustained investment, improved sanitation, stronger primary healthcare systems and community engagement are critical to achieving long-term control.
WHO warns of $45bn funding gap
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has warned that a projected $45 billion funding gap between 2026 and 2030 could derail global efforts to eliminate malaria, even as Africa continues to record nearly 600,000 deaths annually.
The Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, in his 2026 World Malaria Day message themed “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.”, said the financing shortfall comes at a critical moment when countries are scaling up new tools and interventions that could significantly reduce malaria transmission and deaths.
He noted that despite the heavy burden of the disease in Africa, progress is being recorded, including the rollout of malaria vaccines in 25 countries, which are expected to protect about 10 million children each year.
Janabi said more than 10 countries have increased domestic financing for malaria programmes since January 2025, while improved vector control tools such as next-generation mosquito nets are now widely deployed across the region.
He added that digital surveillance systems are strengthening outbreak prediction and response, marking what he described as a new phase of malaria control driven by innovation, stronger data use and increased community engagement.
However, he warned that these gains remain at risk due to persistent funding gaps, rising insecticide and drug resistance, climate-related shifts in transmission patterns, and increasing vulnerability linked to humanitarian crises and displacement.
According to him, the availability of new vaccines, improved treatments and expanded vector control tools shows that elimination is now achievable, but only if sustained investment is secured.
Janabi called on governments to strengthen domestic ownership of malaria programmes and integrate them into national development priorities to ensure long-term sustainability.
He also stressed the need for stronger surveillance systems and data-driven decision-making to ensure interventions are targeted at the most affected communities.
On innovation, he urged equitable access to new malaria tools and increased investment in African research and regional manufacturing capacity.
He further emphasised that primary healthcare systems remain central to malaria prevention and treatment, particularly in delivering early diagnosis and timely care at the community level.
Janabi also called for a whole-of-society response involving sectors such as health, education, agriculture, environment, housing and finance, noting that malaria control depends on coordinated action beyond the health sector.
FG seeks religious leaders’ support
On its part, the Federal Government has called on religious leaders to support efforts to combat malaria, particularly in deepening awareness and encouraging greater community participation.
The National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Nnena Ogbulafor, made the call during an advocacy visit to the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education, Abuja, as part of activities marking World Malaria Day.
She noted that religious leaders have a critical role to play in the drive to eliminate malaria, given their influence on public behaviour.
“As they stand in the pulpit, many of their followers will do what they advise. We are encouraged that religious leaders often guide their followers in the right direction. That is why we are engaging them directly,” she said.
Ogbulafor urged faith leaders to use their platforms to educate worshippers on preventive measures and to encourage acceptance of government interventions.
She added that the 2026 commemoration is backed by fresh data from the 2025 Malaria Indicator Survey.
According to her, Nigeria recorded a decline in malaria prevalence from 22 per cent in 2021 to 15 per cent in 2025, representing about a 30 per cent reduction.