The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, says Nigeria records the highest number of malaria cases and deaths globally.

Quoting the World Malaria Report 2021, he said Nigeria alone contributed about 27 per cent of the global malaria cases and 27 per cent of global malaria deaths.

He spoke in Abuja yesterday during the commemoration of the World Malaria Day organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Roll Back Malaria partners and other stakeholders.

He said the government was working towards reducing mortality attributable to malaria to less than 50 deaths per 1, 000 live births by 2025.

He said Nigeria was also working hard to achieve a parasite prevalence of less than 10 percent.

He listed interventions in collaboration with other malaria partners in the last 12 months as seasonal malaria chemoprevention for children under five years, distribution of 24, 675, 236 insecticide treated bed nets to some states, training of health workers for improved diagnosis and strengthening the malaria surveillance system among others.

The Minister of State for Health, Olorunimbe Mamora, said malaria remained a disease of major public health significance in Nigeria as it affected over 98 percent of the population. (Daily Trust)