An estimated sum of N2.04 trillion is spent on treatments for Malaria yearly by Nigerians. Despite a series of intervention programmes against recent malaria epidemics, Nigeria is not winning the war against the deadly scourge. The conservative cost of malaria is far from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) estimate of $1.1 billion (N825 billion) but still excludes out-of-pocket preventive measures by households in Nigeria.
Today, the world commemorates World Malaria Day (WMD) 2023. Stakeholders are urging governments and healthcare workers to renew their energy. The focus is on the theme ‘Time to Zero Malaria: Investment, Innovation and Implementation’.
A breakdown of the economic cost of the disease shows that out of the estimated 51 million malaria cases registered each year in Nigeria, the average person spends N1,850 to treat one bout of uncomplicated malaria (N94.35 billion annually), while for a single attack of complex malaria averages N20,000 (N2.04 trillion annually).
It is also estimated that the federal government spends about 55% of its annual healthcare budget on malaria prevention and control. This is N319.451 billion out of the N580.82 billion healthcare budget in 2023.
Gbolagade Iyiola, president of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Society (PSN), Lagos chapter, told The Guardian that the estimated cost per person to treat uncomplicated malaria in Nigeria is around N700 to N3000, depending on the type of treatment and medical facilities attended.
Iyiola added that the cost of treating complicated malaria could be significantly higher, ranging from N20,000 to N60,000, or more. On the cost to the Nigerian government, the consultant pharmacist said-
“This cost includes expenditures on healthcare facilities, medication, and personnel. The exact cost is difficult to estimate, but it is estimated that the government spends approximately 50 to 60 per cent of its healthcare budget on malaria control, prevention, and treatment.”
He further said that the cost to the Nigerian economy is significant.
“Malaria is a major public health challenge in Nigeria, and its impact extends beyond the healthcare sector. Costs to the economy include both direct costs such as healthcare expenditures, as well as indirect costs such as lost productivity due to illness and death. Malaria reduces productivity, increases healthcare costs, and affects tourism and foreign investment. According to the WHO, the economic burden of malaria in Nigeria is estimated to be $1.1 billion per year.
“Nigeria suffers the world’s greatest malaria burden, with approximately 51 million cases and 207,000 deaths reported yearly (approximately 30 per cent of the total malaria burden in Africa), while 97 per cent of the total population (approximately 173 million) is at risk of infection. Malaria remains a significant burden in Nigeria, particularly in children under five years of age, and pregnant women.
“It accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient visits to hospitals and led to approximately 11 per cent maternal mortality and 30 per cent child mortality, especially among children less than five years,” Iyiola said.
Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Dr Kingsley Chiedu Amibor, showed that the average amount charged per patient for treating uncomplicated malaria in private hospitals is N3,941.
The average amount spent on antimalarial drugs is about N2,443. N1,064 is spent on laboratory investigation, and N406 for medical consultation. Amibor added that in private pharmacies, the cost of treating uncomplicated malaria as of April 2023 ranges from N2,000 to N3,000, and laboratory tests for malaria is N1,000 on average, while the amount charged for medicines is inclusive of the Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) and analgesics.
The consultant pharmacist said for severe treatments in private hospitals, the treatment costs range from N5,000 to N8,000. However, in public hospitals, the costs range from N1,200 to N2,500. All of these depend on the brand of antimalarial used for uncomplicated malaria. For severe malaria (complicated), it ranges from N1,500 to N4,000 – again, depending on the brand of drugs on offer.
On the cost to the government, the Federal Government has secured credits from three multilateral banks totalling $364 million. They include the World Bank, African Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank. The amount is to fund health sector interventions in 13 states of the Federation for five years (2020–2024) for the disease.
cc: The Guardian Ng
