Health
Plateau State commenced a 3days regional training programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of laboratory scientists to deliver accurate malaria diagnosis across selected states in Nigeria.
The training was organized by REACH Malaria Project in collaboration with National Malaria Elimination Program and Plateau State Ministry of Health through the State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP) hosted at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital laboratory which was recently built and equipped by Governor Caleb Mutfwang under “the time is now administration”
Participants drawn from Plateau, Benue and Kebbi States are taking part in the training, which is designed to enhance laboratory scientists’ skills in microscopic malaria diagnosis under the mantra “Supporting a Culture of Quality.”
Speaking on behalf of the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, the Chief Medical Director of Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Prof Christopher Yilgwan, said the training targets selected laboratory scientists who already possess basic diagnostic skills and are expected to serve as supervisors and mentors for other health workers in their respective facilities.
According to him, the programme involves participants from multiple states and focuses on improving the accuracy and reliability of microscopic malaria diagnosis in healthcare facilities.
Yilgwan noted that the selection of Plateau State as host was influenced by the high standard of the PLASVERIC Public Health Teaching Laboratory, describing it as a top-notch facility capable of serving as a reference centre for malaria diagnostics.
He also commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for upgrading the laboratory to international standards, a development he said has attracted partnerships and training opportunities to the state.
The Program Manager, Plateau State Malaria Elimination Program, Nurse Ndak Kizito Zuhumnan, said the training reflects the foresight of the Plateau State government in prioritising improvements in the health sector and creating an enabling environment for partners to support healthcare delivery.
He explained that the training is specifically designed to enhance the competence of laboratory scientists in the use of microscopy for malaria diagnosis, noting that accurate diagnosis remains critical to effective treatment and malaria control efforts.
Zuhumnan added that participants drawn from tertiary hospitals, private facilities and primary healthcare centres will return to their various institutions after the training to support peer learning, provide mentorship and strengthen quality assurance processes in malaria diagnosis.
According to him, the ripple effect of the training will extend beyond the participating institutions as trained scientists will also support community-level malaria services through supervision and quality checks to ensure that diagnostic results used for treatment are accurate and reliable.
He further noted that the presence of participants from other states for the training demonstrates the growing recognition of Plateau’s improved laboratory infrastructure, stressing that the upgrades carried out at the facility have positioned the state as a reference point for diagnostic training and public health collaboration.
Senior Diagnostic Specialist with the REACH PATH Project, Ojo Abiodun, said the training is part of efforts to strengthen malaria diagnostic services across supported states through capacity building for medical laboratory scientists.
He said the REACH project, funded by the United States Department of State, supports Nigeria’s efforts to improve malaria diagnosis and treatment outcomes by ensuring that test results used for treatment decisions are accurate and reliable.
Abiodun added that the training is facilitated by World Health Organization-certified Level 1 expert microscopists, who are equipping participants with advanced skills in malaria microscopy.
According to him, participants selected for the training had previously completed basic malaria microscopy training recommended by national and global health authorities and were chosen to further strengthen their supervisory capacity.
Welcoming the experts Dr Alice Pam-Tok the Plateau State Coordinator REACH project said the training, improved quality assurance in malaria diagnosis is critical to ensuring effective treatment and reducing malaria-related illness and deaths in affected communities.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that the case fatality rate for Lassa fever rose to 19.3 per cent in 2026, up from 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The agency disclosed this in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 23, covering 1 to 7 June 2026.
According to the report, the number of newly confirmed cases remained unchanged from the previous week, with infections recorded in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, and Ebonyi states.
The NCDC also noted that no new infections among healthcare workers were reported during the week under review. The outbreak spreads across 23 states.
The report showed that the outbreak has affected 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas (LGAs) since the beginning of the year.
It added that both suspected and confirmed cases have increased compared to figures recorded during the same period in 2025, indicating continued transmission of the disease.
According to the agency, five states account for the majority of confirmed infections nationwide. Ondo State recorded the highest burden, accounting for 28 per cent of confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 15 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent, and Benue with six per cent.
The remaining 16 per cent of confirmed cases were reported across 18 other states. Young adults are most affected.
The NCDC said young adults remain the most affected age group in the current outbreak.
It noted that the highest number of infections was recorded among persons aged between 21 and 30 years.
According to the report, confirmed cases ranged in age from 1 to 93 years, with a median age of 30 years. Response efforts ongoing
The agency said the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remains activated to coordinate response activities across affected areas.
It explained that the system is supporting surveillance, case management, and other response interventions at the federal, state, and local government levels.
READ ALSO: Ebola: NCDC raises importation risk, says Nigeria remains case-free
Despite the absence of new healthcare worker infections in Week 23, the NCDC said the rising fatality rate and the continued spread of the disease across multiple states underscore the need for sustained response efforts.
It added that surveillance and case management activities are ongoing in all affected states to contain the outbreak and reduce deaths. Lassa fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.
It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids.
The disease often begins with fever, weakness, and headache, and may progress to more severe symptoms such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, swelling, and organ failure. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with Ribavirin are critical for improving survival.
The federal government has approved the release of State Outbreak Investigation and Response Funds (S-OIRF) to support outbreak preparedness and response activities nationwide.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats.
This was made known on Saturday in a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by the Assistant Director, Information & Public Relations, Ado Bako.
The approval, granted by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, authorises the disbursement of 50 per cent of the S-OIRF allocation, amounting to N21.2 million for each state, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Gateway of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
According to the government, the intervention complements ongoing efforts to strengthen national preparedness and response capacities, including the work of the multi-sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
No confirmed Ebola case
The government said Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, but noted that the release of the funds is intended to ensure states have the resources needed to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and rapid response systems in the event of any public health emergency.
It explained that the approval represents a one-time special dispensation to enable states to access critical preparedness funding amid growing concerns about emerging public health threats.
The government added that the measure also highlights its commitment to accountability and prudent management of public resources.
‘States must account for funds’
As chairman of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee, Mr Pate directed all beneficiary states to retire both current and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months.
He also instructed states to comply fully with established financial management, reporting and accountability requirements.
“Preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in protecting public health. While it is important that states have timely access to resources needed to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities, it is equally important that public funds are managed responsibly and accounted for in line with established regulations,” Mr Pate said.
READ ALSO: Cross River activates Ebola response system, intensifies border surveillance
Mr Pate said the approval demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening health security while maintaining accountability, adding that efforts would continue to support states in improving their ability to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats in a transparent and responsible manner.
Background
The federal government’s action followed renewed Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, prompting concerns about the risk of cross-border transmission.
Authorities subsequently announced plans to strengthen surveillance at airports and land borders, activate isolation and referral facilities, and improve coordination among health, aviation and security agencies.
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