A comprehensive study conducted across Lagos State has revealed a significant finding that challenges common assumptions about fever.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health disclosed that approximately 95 percent of people who sought medical attention for fever tested negative for malaria, despite fever being widely associated with the disease.
The research involved more than 78,000 people across 514 healthcare outlets throughout the state.
Only about five percent of those presenting with fever received a positive malaria diagnosis.
The remaining 95 percent had fever caused by other medical conditions entirely, suggesting a widespread misconception about what causes fever in the state’s population.
The discovery has prompted the Lagos State Government to introduce a “Test Before Treat” policy aimed at changing how residents approach fever management.
Rather than automatically assuming fever means malaria and purchasing antimalarial drugs without diagnosis, residents are being encouraged to seek professional medical evaluation and testing.
The commissioner highlighted how self-medication has become deeply entrenched in the population’s healthcare practices.
When people feel unwell and experience fever, they typically assume malaria, buy antimalarial medication without testing, and when symptoms persist, move on to other drugs including antibiotics.
This pattern of treatment without diagnosis poses serious public health risks.
The proper approach to fever management should involve seeking professional care, undergoing appropriate diagnostic tests, receiving a diagnosis based on test results and then taking medication suited to the actual condition.
Fever should never be assumed to be malaria without testing.
The commissioner emphasised the role community pharmacies and patent medicine stores play as first points of contact for residents with fever.
These outlets need access to quality-assured malaria rapid diagnostic tests alongside clear referral systems for patients whose tests come back negative.
A negative malaria test should prompt further investigation into the actual cause rather than the immediate use of alternative medication.
The commissioner’s message to residents is straightforward. Do not assume every fever is malaria.
Test first, then treat based on results. If testing confirms malaria, treat appropriately.
If the test is negative, investigate what is actually causing the illness rather than simply moving to another medicine.
This approach encourages accurate diagnosis and responsible medicine use while reducing unnecessary consumption of antibiotics and helping Lagos move toward malaria elimination.