World Bank Invests ₦1.5bn in Ondo Malaria Project, Prevalence Drops to 13%
Korede Abdullah 
ONDO, Nigeria – The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) says a ₦1.5 billion World Bank investment in the IMPACT Malaria Project has significantly reduced malaria prevalence in Ondo State, strengthened primary healthcare services and improved child survival.
Speaking at the project’s close-out ceremony in Akure on Monday, the Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of IHVN, Dr Charles Mensah, said the intervention was implemented in partnership with the Ondo State Ministry of Health across all 18 local government areas.
According to him, the World Bank funding covered malaria commodities, healthcare worker training, logistics and other critical interventions designed to improve malaria prevention and treatment.
“The World Bank invested about ₦1.5 billion in this project, covering commodities, training, logistics and several interventions across Ondo State,” Mensah said.
He praised the Ondo State Government for providing strong institutional support throughout the project, noting that the collaboration enabled the programme to achieve its objectives within a shorter implementation period than originally planned.
Mensah also acknowledged the contributions of the National Malaria Elimination Programme and other development partners in delivering the project successfully.
Representing the World Bank, Dr Pwanedo Nzomisaki said the intervention, which began in 2024, produced measurable health gains, with malaria prevalence dropping from 27 per cent to 13 per cent.
Similarly, IHVN’s Director of Special Projects, Dr Adeorunke Agbaje, described the partnership with the Ondo State Government as highly productive, noting that it contributed to improved health outcomes across the state.
Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said the project also recorded significant progress in child health, revealing that under-five mortality declined from 65 to 15 during the implementation period.
He added that the intervention revitalised 102 primary healthcare centres and boosted routine immunisation coverage through its Immunisation Plus component.
Ajaka commended the World Bank, IHVN and other development partners for supporting the state’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve disease prevention.
The ceremony concluded with awards presented to individuals and organisations recognised for their contributions to the successful implementation of the World Bank-funded IMPACT Malaria Project, which focuses on reducing malaria, expanding immunisation and strengthening primary healthcare services in participating states.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
