Galvanizing Communities towards Zero Malaria in Nigeria: An Account of 2019 World Malaria Day in Bayelsa State

Abstract

Nigeria had a vision of zero death from malaria by 2020 and was making efforts to achieve the goal. Reducing malaria mortality or eliminating malaria requires community ownership and active participation. This paper describes activities carried out in Bayelsa State to commemorate the 2019 World Malaria Day – an important global event towards eliminating malaria. Several organizations in the state collaborated to organize the event and used various media to spread the key messages of the day. Inadequate resources however limited full commemoration. A better- funded event in the future has potential for a larger impact.