95% of fevers in Lagos not caused by malaria as widely presumed – Health Commissioner

Sunday, June 22, 2025 - The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says new data shows that 95 out of every 100 fevers experienced in Lagos are not caused by malaria, as widely presumed.

Abayomi said this at a three-day study kick-off of the Pathway to Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Project in Lagos state. The focus was on the Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test and Microscopy Comparative Study & Assessment of PPMVS’ Capacity to Manage Malaria and Febrile Illnesses. While speaking at the function, Abayomi said

“We need to get malaria out of the region. It is very, very important that we do that once and for all, perform the mind shift in our healthcare providers that on average, 95 out of every 100 fevers that you may see are not caused by malaria.

For too long, the default response to fever in Lagos, and indeed nationwide, had been to administer anti-malarial drugs, often without proper diagnostic testing.''

The commissioner warned that this practice was not only wasteful but also dangerous. According to him, the widespread and often unnecessary use of antimalarials and antibiotics is accelerating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global threat in which common infections become untreatable.

“We are really sitting on a very major problem of microbial resistance. And we have to be careful how we dispense antimicrobials and how we dispense antibiotics.”he said

He cited recent research indicating significant AMR in animals, with 60 per cent of human infections originating from them, stressing the interconnectedness of the problem.

Under the new “test, treat, and track” pathway/strategy, he said that Lagos residents presenting with fever will first undergo a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for malaria.

“If the result is negative, which is anticipated for the vast majority, healthcare providers will then conduct thorough examinations and investigations to pinpoint the true cause of the fever, be it pneumonia, gastroenteritis, or other infections.

The ministry is also tightening regulations on pharmacies.

It is illegal to walk into a pharmacy and say, give me an antimalarial, or give me an antibiotic without a doctor, or healthcare practitioner’s, accredited healthcare practitioner’s certificate.”Abayomi said

He urged the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria to enforce its regulations to stop the inappropriate dispensing of anti-malaria drugs in pharmacies.

 “If we don’t stop that practice, we are going to be the capital of antimicrobial resistance'' Abayomi said