By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, said about US$45 billion would be needed in the next 4 years to meet global malaria targets.

This was contained in a message to commemorate the World Malaria Day (WMD), issued by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr
Mohamed Janabi, in Abuja.

The theme for 2026 WMD, is ‘ Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must’.

He lamented that the tiny mosquito continues to cause enormous harm. Every year, malaria kills
hundreds of thousands of people, most of them young African children.

He said, “Yet today we can also say something once unimaginable. We have the commitment, knowledge and tools to dramatically reduce malaria illness and deaths, eventually ending malaria as a public health threat”.

Speaking on the theme he said, “The theme of this year’s World Malaria Day is Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can.
Now We Must. This is both a message of hope and an urgent call to action.
Across the African Region, countries are showing stronger leadership, increasing
domestic investment and using innovation to protect those most at risk”.

He noted, “The malaria
response is entering a new phase shaped by country ownership, smarter data use, stronger community engagement and transformative new tools. Elimination is no longer
a distant aspiration. It is an achievable goal if we act decisively, now.

“Our Region still carries the world’s heaviest malaria burden. In 2024 alone, nearly 600,000 lives were lost in Africa. Three-quarters of those deaths were among young children. These preventable deaths remind us why progress cannot wait.

“There are encouraging signs of momentum. More than ten countries have increased
domestic financing for malaria programmes since January 2025. Twenty-five countries
are rolling out malaria vaccines, helping protect around 10 million children each year”.

He said the next-generation mosquito nets is designed to overcome insecticide resistance now
account for the vast majority of newly distributed nets.

“Digital technologies are improving
our ability to predict, detect and respond to outbreaks. Plus new vector control innovations are expanding our toolbox. .

“But progress is not guaranteed. Funding gaps continue to slow the response. At least US$45 billion will be needed between 2026 and 2030 to meet global malaria targets. Insecticide resistance is widespread. Drug resistance is emerging in some settings.

“Climate variability is changing transmission patterns. And humanitarian crises and displacement are increasing vulnerability”.

The WHO boss noted that, it is possible to overcome the challenges, because there are stronger political commitment, better data, more
engaged communities and more powerful tools than ever before.

“Now we must—because when investment declines and programmes weaken, malaria
returns quickly, reversing hard-won gains and costing lives. To seize this moment, five priorities are essential:

“First, countries must continue to lead the malaria response with strong national ownership. When governments prioritize malaria as a dividend of national development and mobilize domestic resources, they lay the foundation
for sustainable impact” he noted.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Government (FG), on Tuesday, confirmed a case of Corona Virus (COVID), in Cross River state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) signed by the Director-General, NCDC in Abuja.

He said NCDC is aware of recent media reports regarding a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River State.

He therefore said, this is the only confirmed case that has been isolated and is currently being managed in line with national treatment guidelines.

He noted , “The patient is in stable condition and responding to care.
Following confirmation of the case, the Cross River State Ministry of Health, in coordination with NCDC and with support from partners, has activated response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention & control.

“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission”.

The NCDC boss assured that, “We continue to maintain routine surveillance for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

“The detection of this case reflects that these systems remain functional and responsive.
Members of the public are advised to:

• Maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene
• Stay home and seek care if unwell
• Follow updates from official public health authorities
  NCDC will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary”.

….as treatment success rates 94%
By Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed at the weekend that Abuja has over 16,000 annual burden of Tuberculosis (TB) cases.

FCT Director Public Health, ‎Dr Dan Gasama , stated this at the community outreach in commemoration of 2026 World Tuberculosis Day, organized by the Federal Capital Territory Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP),and other partners, in Abuja.

Gasama added that, the treatment success rate for Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria is now 94 percent when detected early.

The theme for 2026 celebrations ‘Yes, we can. We can end TB’.

People trooped out in their hundreds from Mabushi community and they were screened and tested for TB, Malaria, etc, and people were given free medications for malaria and some other minor ailments, some were refered to bigger hospitals.

Gasama said, TB remain one of the world’s oldest infectious diseases, and a public health concern globally and nationally, despite being preventable and curable, it continues to claim lives and disrupt families and communities.
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‎He noted, “An estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2014, with1.23 million deaths including 150,000 deaths among people with HIV.

“With prevalence of 219/100,000, Nigeria remain one of the countries with high TB burden , and FCT also has estimated annual burden of 16,000 cases.

“The country notified over 467,000in 2025 , the highest ever in our history. Treatment success rate have reached an impressive 94%, demonstrating that when TB is detected early and treated properly, it can be cured .

Additionally TB mortality has been reduced by 63% between 2015 -2024″, Dr. Dan said.
He said in FCT in 2025, FCT-TBLCP recorded it highest achievement to date, over 40,171 presumptive TB clients were identified and screened while 3,679 TB cases were notified the highest in history.

He noted that one of the unique commemorations of this year is the dedication to high-burden communities, where they take the message to their doorsteps.

The in her goodwill message, Dr. Jenny Momoh, who represented Dr. Jibrin Alkasim, the FCT state coordinator for World Health Organisation (WHO), said reiterated the commitment of the world body to eradicating TB completely. Which according to her is visible when countries, communities, and partners unite with purpose and determination.

WHO commended all the health workers and partners for their determination, supports and commitment, that has helped to save lives.

“Despite the challenges, we have seen remarkable advances in diagnostics, treatment options, digital tools, and community‑centered care. Yet millions still face barriers to timely diagnosis and quality treatment. This is why our collective action remains essential. Ending TB requires sustained investment, innovation, and a strong multisectoral response that leaves no one behind”, she noted .

Teresa Jatau, who spoke on behalf of National Coordinator TB network, in her goodwill message said, she is very happy with the turnout of people for the programme.

She reiterated the need for all hands to be on desk in order to completely eradicate TB on Nigeria.
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She also remind Nigerians that TB affect children as well, “By collectively working together and collectively amplifying the voices of the community, amplifying the voices of even children. Oftentimes we have conversations about TB, but we neglect the children. But here, we should be reminded that children too are often affected by TB. And so they should be at the center of our conversation”.

She said TB network is committed to continue to do the work at the community level to ensure that everyone gets the information, the correct information, knows where to go to and seek care in case they are tested positive.
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