Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with the country accounting for over 25% of global malaria cases and deaths. Despite various control efforts, millions of Nigerians, particularly young children and pregnant women, remain vulnerable to the disease, which continues to strain the healthcare system. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that malaria is responsible for about 200,000 deaths annually in Nigeria alone, making it one of the highest malaria-burdened countries in the world. This staggering burden underscores the urgent need for innovative treatments and sustained research efforts to combat the disease.
It is Against this background that the Malaria Study Team from the Department of Family Medicine at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife reached a major milestone in Nigeria’s battle against malaria by completing data collection for a significant multi-center clinical trial. The study, titled “A Randomized, Multi-Centre, Open-Label, Parallel, Active-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Fixed Dose Combinations of Arterolane Maleate-Piperaquine Phosphate Tablets Compared to Arthemether-Lumefantrine Tablets for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria in Adolescent and Adult Nigerian Patients,” represents a crucial step toward eradicating malaria in the country.
On October 22, 2024, the closing ceremony for the SYNRIAM Malaria Study was held at OAUTHC’s General Outpatient Clinic. The year-and-a-half-long study, conducted by a team of clinical experts from OAUTHC in partnership with researchers from India and the University of Lagos, aimed to significantly reduce the malaria burden in Nigeria through the introduction of the new anti-malarial drug, Synriam.
Dr. Ibrahim Bello, head of the study team, noted that before the trial began, representatives from Lagos and India inspected OAUTHC’s facilities to ensure they were equipped to carry out the research. “They verified that we had the necessary resources to conduct the study,” said Dr. Bello. He also revealed that, during the course of the research, free malaria tests and treatments were provided to hospital staff, members of the public, religious groups, and students from nearby schools.
The study found Synriam to be highly effective in treating malaria, marking a significant advancement in the fight against the disease. Dr. Bello emphasized the importance of continued support for clinical research and urged hospital management to back future initiatives. He extended his gratitude to the entire research team, including microbiologists, lab scientists, and data analysts, whose contributions were integral to the study’s success.
Dr. Bello also highlighted that the success of this trial brings Nigeria closer to achieving malaria-free status, following in the footsteps of Egypt, which was recently certified as malaria-free. Prof. Rahman Bolarinwa of OAUTHC’s Haematology Department, a key collaborator in the study, underscored the importance of research in fulfilling the hospital’s mission to advance medical knowledge. He expressed optimism that Synriam will soon be widely available, significantly aiding in the eradication of malaria in Nigeria.
