The latest certification of Cabo Verde by the World Well being Organisation, WHO, because the third malaria-free nation in Africa after Mauritius (1973) and Algeria (2019) presents helpful classes for Nigeria in its struggle towards the illness.
Cabo Verde’s success got here from sustained dedication from the federal government. Excessive-level political management ensured constant funding, efficient coverage implementation, and robust coordination throughout totally different sectors.
Nigeria can study to duplicate this dedication by prioritising malaria management in nationwide growth plans and mobilising assets successfully. At the moment, malaria in Nigeria is a serious public well being concern. Regardless of spectacular progress, Nigeria nonetheless faces a number of hurdles on its path to reaching malaria elimination standing.
Amongst hurdles, Nigeria should overcome the persistent threats posed by the resistance of malaria parasites and mosquitoes to medication and pesticides, and should additionally handle the problem of environmental components. The gaps in entry and fairness gaps to healthcare entry, particularly in rural areas, constantly improve the chance of malaria transmission and delay prognosis.
Then the influence of socio-economic inequalities, akin to poverty, insufficient housing, and schooling that contribute to malaria threat, necessitates pressing consideration to handle these disparities for efficient malaria management.
Authorities initiatives such because the Nationwide Malaria Elimination Programme, NMEP, and the 2021-2025 Nationwide Malaria Strategic Plan, have made an considerable influence. Nonetheless, challenges stay.
These challenges embrace drug and insecticide resistance, restricted healthcare entry, environmental components, and socio-economic inequalities. So regardless of progress, Nigeria nonetheless wants to enhance entry to prevention and remedy, handle drug resistance, and strengthen healthcare techniques to fight the illness.
The excellent news is that there are takeaways and classes from the Cabo Verde expertise. Adoption of a multi-pronged strategy of mixing vector management measures like indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated nets with case administration, surveillance, and neighborhood engagement, helped Cabo Verde to focus on totally different phases of the malaria parasite’s life cycle and handle social and behavioural components contributing to transmission. Nigeria can undertake this mannequin by tailoring interventions to particular wants of various areas and populations.
In the identical means Cabo Verde relied on strong knowledge to trace progress, establish gaps in protection, and modify programmes accordingly, this data-driven strategy may guarantee environment friendly useful resource allocation and focused interventions the place they’re most wanted in Nigeria. Simply as Cabo Verde actively engaged communities in malaria prevention and management efforts, so can Nigeria spend money on strengthening its well being data techniques and use of information to information decision-making for malaria management.
Cabo Verde diversified its funding sources, with a mixture of home assets, worldwide assist, and private-sector partnerships. This ensured the long-term sustainability of its malaria management programme. Nigeria can discover related methods to safe sustainable financing for its malaria elimination efforts.
Nigeria may study from the strategy of recognising the significance of investing in analysis and growth of latest instruments and methods, akin to exploring various vector management strategies, growing new diagnostic instruments, and researching potential vaccines, to handle rising challenges like drug resistance and discover revolutionary options for malaria management.
Cabo Verde labored intently with worldwide companions just like the WHO and NGOs, leveraging their experience and assets to strengthen its malaria programme. Nigeria can profit from related partnerships to share greatest practices, entry technical experience, and mobilise extra assets for its malaria struggle.
