Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says malaria has become increasingly rare in the state, urging residents to demand proper testing before accepting any diagnosis or medication.
Speaking on Channels Television, Abayomi revealed that extensive laboratory checks across Lagos show that only a small percentage of fever cases are actually malaria-related.
“Out of every hundred fever cases in Lagos, only about three or four are malaria. We’ve confirmed this through repeated investigations with top scientists and advanced lab analyses,” he said.
He advised residents to always request visible test proof before agreeing to treatment.
“If you’re told you have malaria, ask for the test cartridge. It’s straightforward — yes or no,” he said.
Abayomi also criticised the common “malaria-typhoid” diagnosis, describing it as misleading and responsible for excessive and unnecessary drug use. Many patients, he noted, are dealing with viral infections that resemble malaria and require rest rather than aggressive medication.
He added that some Lagos residents prefer malaria diagnoses because they expect injections or IV fluids, even when they’re not needed.
While Lagos is close to eliminating malaria, the commissioner noted that neighbouring states like Ogun and Oyo still record higher cases and may need to adopt similar strategies.
According to state health data, malaria now accounts for only about 1.3% of fevers in Lagos, a decline credited to improved testing, treatment, and strengthened surveillance systems across both public and private facilities.
