FG, States collaborate to curb neglected tropical diseases

ABUJA, Nigeria — In a bid to end neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), the Federal Government, alongside health commissioners from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, have collaborated to fight the struggle.

NTDs, as defined by the World Health Organisation, include diseases caused by various pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

The National Coordinator for NTDs at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Fatai Oyediran said this during an advocacy meeting in Abuja.

He said $19 million was required to effectively tackle NTDs in Nigeria.

Oyediran said, “We developed our NTDs master plan for 2023–2027. With adequate investment, these diseases can be controlled and eradicated. Mobilizing resources and implementing this plan strategically will ensure NTDs in Nigeria become a thing of the past."

 Neglected Tropical diseases predominantly affect impoverished communities in tropical areas, with over 1.6 billion people requiring NTD interventions globally.

However, Nigeria accounts for approximately 50% of Africa’s NTD burden and 25% globally.

He highlighted NTDs prevalent in the country to include elephantiasis, river blindness, trachoma, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

He also identified  inadequate funding as major challenge in combating NTDs, adding that, most states lack budgetary allocation  for addressing the diseases.

“We are engaging health commissioners to encourage their governors and budget ministries to establish a dedicated budget line for NTDs,” he said.

Speaking on NTDs, Abia State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, reported that four NTDs—onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, and schistosomiasis—were endemic in the state.

He said addressing the challenge, the state “Through mass drug administration programs, achieved certification for breaking the transmission of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in 2022,” he said.

Also,  Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam, announced the eradication of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in the state, while emphasising the need for renewed focus and funding to achieve the complete elimination of NTDs.

The Director of Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation at United to Combat NTDs, Stuart Halford, called for prioritising NTD eradication, citing the economic and productivity losses caused by these diseases.