Malaria remains one of the highest killers globally, claiming the lives of 627,000 people globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified Nigeria as one region with high malaria prevalence globally.
It has been reported that about 100,693 persons died of malaria in 2020. This figure accounted for 6.82% of the total deaths in the years, and Nigeria is ranked 27th out of 178 on the global scale of deaths to malaria.
However, malaria, though a deadly disease, is only the fourth highest killer in Nigeria. Influenza/pneumonia, diarrhea, and tuberculosis have individually resulted in the death of more Nigerians than malaria.
Influenza/pneumonia led to the death of 207,281 Nigerians in 2020, representing 14% of the total deaths reported by causes in the country and holding the number 1 position. Nigeria has a global ranking of 28th of 178 countries on influenza/pneumonia.
Diarrhea holds the second position, claiming the lives of 144,724 Nigerians in 2020. This figure is equivalent to 9.77% of the total death to causative diseases. On the global ranking, Nigeria is ranked 13 out of 178 in deaths from diarrhea.
Tuberculosis was reported to kill 127,335 persons in Nigeria in 2020, representing 8.6% of the total deaths. Nigeria has a global ranking of 6th of 178 in tuberculosis deaths in 2020.
Birth trauma took the lives of 100,186 Nigerians in 2020 making up 6.76% of deaths and in fifth position after malaria. The total deaths recorded in 2020 placed Nigeria in the 2nd of 178 countries globally.
There were eleven diseases in which Nigeria had poor world rankings. Of these diseases, out of 178 countries that recorded deaths, Nigeria falls between 2nd to 17th in each of them.
Nigeria was found in the top five in four diseases and ranked 2nd in deaths to birth trauma in 2020. The country was 5th in deaths for drug use, congenital anomalies, and low birth weight.
Drug abuse killed 6,273 Nigerians, which made up 0.42% of the total deaths, while congenital anomalies and low birth weight killed 44,646 persons and 95,959 persons, respectively. Congenital anomalies and low birth weight accounted for 5.36% and 6.48% of the total deaths.
However, of the top five diseases that had the highest fatalities in Nigeria, only malaria and tuberculosis have notable interventions. There is no known government intervention for influenza/pneumonia, diarrhea, or birth trauma despite their high ranking positions among diseases with high fatalities.