The organizers of the Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Programme (NNMEP) has stated that malaria affects human development in several powerful and long-lasting ways.
They said it comprises: “Education: Missed School Days: Children infected with malaria often miss school due to illness.
“Poor learning outcomes: Frequent infections lead to reduced concentration and cognitive development.
“Dropout risk: Repeated illness can contribute to school dropouts, especially in poor communities.
“Economic productivity: Reduced Work Capacity: Adults with malaria are often too sick to work, leading to lower household income.
“Loss of livelihoods: For farmers or laborers, missing even a few days during planting or harvesting season can severely affect food production and income. National Economic Burden: Countries with high malaria rates often experience slower economic growth due to healthcare costs and lost productivity.”
Thirdly, the health system strain is an another problem. They said it could lead to overburdened facilities, adding that malaria consumes a large share of health budgets, leaving fewer resources for other diseases.
“Reduced Access: People may avoid or delay care due to cost or overcrowded facilities.”
The fourth one is Poverty Trap. “Cost of care: Families spend money on treatment, travel, and recovery time—pushing them deeper into poverty.
“Cycle of Vulnerability: Poor housing, lack of nets, and low access to healthcare increase the risk of infection, which then perpetuates poverty,” they explained.
“Maternal and Child Health: Pregnancy Complications: Malaria in pregnancy can cause miscarriages, stillbirth, low birth weight, and maternal death.
“Child Mortality: It’s one of the leading killers of children under 5 in endemic regions. Malaria slows human development by weakening education, reducing productivity, worsening poverty, and straining health systems. Eliminating malaria is essential for achieving long-term human capital development and economic growth.”
