Malaria prevalence in FCT drops to 7.9%

The prevalence of malaria in the Federal Capital Territory has reduced from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 7.9 per cent in 2025, representing a decline of over 50 per cent. The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, revealed this during the flag-off of the 2026 World Malaria Day in Abuja. […]

The prevalence of malaria in the Federal Capital Territory has reduced from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 7.9 per cent in 2025, representing a decline of over 50 per cent.
The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, revealed this during the flag-off of the 2026 World Malaria Day in Abuja.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board (FCT-PHCB), she cited data showing a reduction in malaria prevalence in the FCT from 19 per cent in 2021 to 7.9 per cent in 2025.
This progress, she said, was driven by interventions such as Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention supported by the Malaria Consortium and the Islamic Development Bank-backed elimination project implemented by FAMKRIS Healthcare Initiative.
She noted that the FCTA remains committed to strengthening malaria control through improved monitoring systems, scaled-up interventions, and partnerships at all levels.
Despite the progress, she acknowledged that malaria remains a leading cause of hospital visits in the FCT, with rural and underserved communities still facing limited access to prevention and treatment.
Fasawe called on residents to take personal responsibility by adopting preventive measures such as sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, ensuring pregnant women receive preventive treatment during antenatal care, participating in Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention programmes, maintaining clean environments, and seeking prompt testing and treatment.
Director of Public Health, Dan Gadzama, said the FCTA’s progress was anchored on strong partnerships and targeted interventions, particularly its collaboration with the Malaria Consortium, which has enhanced malaria prevention among children during peak transmission periods.
He noted that scaling up community-based programmes has significantly improved outreach and access to life-saving services.
Project Manager, FCT Malaria Elimination Programme, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, said the decline in malaria prevalence reflects the impact of sustained, multi-sectoral interventions targeting vulnerable populations, especially children under five and pregnant women.
She noted that despite Abuja’s urban status, underserved communities remain at risk, requiring continuous intervention, including the training of health workers and improved logistics systems across facilities.
Clinical Manager FAMKRIS, Aniefiok Akpasa, said interventions by partners have contributed to a steady reduction in malaria prevalence, demonstrating that investments in testing and treatment are yielding results.
He commended the FCTA for fostering collaboration and creating an enabling environment for impactful interventions, stressing that sustained funding, innovation, and community engagement are essential to maintaining progress and achieving malaria elimination in the FCT.
The theme for the 2026 World Malaria Day is: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must.”