A Huge Progress In The Elimination of Nigeria's Neglected Tropical Diseases, Says Health Minister

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Health (FMOH) has announced the elimination of River blindness in Plateau and Nasarawa states while marking the 2024 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day. 

                   Dr.  Muhammad Ali Pate

Speaking during a news conference to mark the 2024 World NTDs Day in Abuja on Tuesday. With this year’s theme being “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs.” The minister, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized the global impact of NTDs, affecting 1.6 billion people, predominantly in developing nations. 

Prof. Muhammad Pate, represented by Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, the Director of Public Health, under the ministry, announced that Nigeria has achieved commendable progress in the prevention, treatment, and elimination of NTDs. He disclosed that;

"However, it is gladdening to note that substantial progress has been made over the last decade, as evidenced by some major achievements highlighted.

“Another achievement is the weaning of 29 million people off ivermectin treatment in 10 transmission states in the country and elimination of onchocerciasis in Plateau and Nasarawa states.

"Also, the interruption of transmission in Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra states.”

Mr Pate said at least 39.5 million people across 20 states and Abuja no longer need lymphatic filariasis treatment, which reduces prevalence in the at-risk population of trachoma infection by 84 per cent.

“A total of 106 of 126 endemic local government areas for trachoma in the country have stopped treatment and have also attained elimination threshold for the active stage of the disease, while 91 areas have attained elimination threshold for the blinding stage of the disease.

"At inception, about 30 million persons were at risk of going blind from trachoma, but the risk has now been brought down significantly to about 3.5 million,” the minister explained.

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate urged the media and stakeholders to sustain their support for NTD elimination, emphasizing the crucial role they play in achieving Nigeria’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Laxmikant Chavan, UCN Cluster Lead and AMR Expert, World Health Organisation (WHO), while reiterating commitment to NTDs elimination, commended the federal government for the progress achieved.

He said, “Let me appreciate Nigeria’s efforts and achievements. Nigeria has actually provided the medicines for mass drug NTDs.

“More than 20 million Nigerians now don’t need any mass drug administration. That means they are free from the NTDs, and that’s a big achievement.”