Egypt Certified Malaria-Free

Egypt has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization after nearly a 100-year effort by its government.

This is a significant and remarkable public health achievement for both Egypt and the entire African continent.

It is close to home and brings nostalgia, reminding me of malaria control programs I have been a part of.

You may not have thought that malaria could be eradicated in Africa but if Mauritius (in 1973), Algeria (in 2019), Cape Verde (in 2024), and now Egypt (in 2024) can do it, then I hold high hopes for other African countries to follow suit.

What does this mean for Nigeria?

We must keep our eyes on the prize. A malaria-free country means a thriving economy. How many of your colleagues have taken sick days this year and what is the most common reason?…..probably malaria, and do you know that malaria causes a high number of deaths, especially among children?

Nigeria is one of the African countries most affected by malaria, however there have also been success stories, thanks to efforts from organisations like Malaria Consortium which continues to work towards the elimination of the disease.

Nigeria belongs to all of us, and our collective action is key to achieving public health milestones.

If you look forward to hearing similar great news about Nigeria someday soon, you can make significant contributions in your own small way by:

*Maintaining a clean environment that doesn’t support the breeding of mosquitoes (eliminating weeds, stagnant water, etc.).

*Encouraging the use of and donating insecticide-treated mosquito nets to rural communities.

*Volunteering with NGOs that promote public health initiatives.

*Educating others about proper waste disposal and environmental management practices.

Every small action counts! How will you contribute to making a malaria-free Nigeria a reality?