The Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said that malaria has become a rare disease in the state.

He has also urged residents to question diagnoses and avoid unnecessary medications.

Abayomi while speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Saturday, urged residents of the state to question diagnosis and avoid unnecessary medications.

“Malaria is now a rare disease in Lagos. Out of every hundred fevers in Lagos, about three or four are caused by malaria.

“And we’ve repeated this with some of the top scientists and the most robust laboratory investigation. So malaria is a rare disease in Lagos right now,” he said.

“If they tell you that you have malaria, question it. Ask them to show you the results, the cartridge. It’s there. Your eyes can read it. It’s yes or no,” Abayomi added.

He also criticised the common “malaria-typhoid” diagnosis, calling it a “double jeopardy” that often leads to unnecessary treatments, including anti-malarial drugs, antibiotics, and painkillers.

“Part of the problem is Lagosians want to be diagnosed with malaria. because they want an injection or they want IV fluid.

“But sometimes, all you have is a viral illness that mimics malaria, which is what is happening in Lagos. This so-called malaria-typhoid diagnosis is an unknown. It’s a double jeopardy diagnosis. It’s a sledgehammer,” he said.

He suggested that neighbouring states like Ogun or Oyo, where malaria remains more prevalent should imitate Lagos states and apply it’s strategies to eliminate it.

The Lagos state government revealed that malaria prevalence in the state has dropped significantly in recent years, a progress which it linked to programmes integrating public and private health facilities for better testing, case management, and data tracking, including digital tools for malaria surveillance.