Despite Elimination of Onchocerciases, Reduction of Trachoma Infection Bv 84%, More Efforts Still Required to Eliminate NTDs In Nigeria- Salako
Even though a lot of progress has been made over the last few years in the health sector like eradication of Guinea Worm, weaning of 29 million people of ivermectin treatment in 10 transmission zones (States), elimination of Onchocerciasis in 2 states (Plateau, Nassarawa) and interruption of transmission in additional 8 States (Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra), a lot more needs to be done to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria. This was noted by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, while delivering his address at the commemoration of the 2025 World NTD Day on Monday, January 27, in Abuja.
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are both communicable and non-communicable diseases, mostly prevalent in children and women and largely associated with poverty, poor sanitation, unsafe water supply, and substandard housing conditions. Globally, over one billion (12.5% of world population) people are affected with NTDs across 149 countries (76% of all countries) with Africa bearing about half of the global burden and Nigeria accounting for about 25% of the cases in the continent. Nigeria has more than 200 million people at the risk of one NTDs or the other and 165 million people needing preventive chemotherapy for at least one NTDs.
The London declaration of 2013 which was followed by the Kigali Declaration of 2019 for the African continent committed Nigeria to work with other countries of the world to eliminate NTDs. This declaration focuses on eight (8) points agenda which includes government commitment cum accountability, integration of NTDs with other services and resource mobilization. In addition to these declarations, the world Health Organization has also produced an NTDs road map 2021 – 2030 as an ambitious blueprint for the elimination of NTDs globally.
Salako said the significance of the World NTDs Day is to renew global and national awareness to address the magnitude of NTDs problem, provide opportunities for stakeholders to highlight the progress being made, challenges encountered and advocate support for prevention, control and elimination effort. He added that this year, Federal Government included Leprosy day as part of World NTDs Day as a way of integration & collaboration.
“The theme of the campaign for 2025 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD) is: “Unite. Act and Eliminate NTDs” as a catalyst for global health and sustainable development is very apt now, when progress towards the 2030 targets must be kept on track with innovative and sustainable financing. The WNTDD is an opportunity to re-energize the momentum to end the suffering from these 21 diseases caused by a variety of pathogens, viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins. We shall focus attention on millions of people with little or no access to prevention, treatment and care services to counter the social determinants of health”, the Minister noted.
Salako said the roll out of the ten years NTDs road map for 2021 – 2030 by the WHO sets ambitious targets and innovative approaches to tackle NTDs and provides a blueprint for global elimination.
“The plan promotes an integrated approach to deliver programmes with emphasis on three significant pathways: moving from process to impact measuring for accountability, putting in place effective multi-sectoral integrative approach across NTDs and promoting country ownership cum political commitment for sustainability. I am proud to announce that Nigeria is one of the few endemic countries that have developed and reviewed its NTDs master-plan 2023 – 2027 and is being used as an advocacy tool by all stakeholders towards the attainment of the 2030 target.
“The movement to end NTDs and indeed other diseases of public health importance such as Leprosy has over the years been defined by partnership and collaboration between private and public sectors, donor countries, multilateral organization, UN bodies, private philanthropies, research institutions and civil society organizations, and the Press with a compelling need for coordination. We shall continue to deepen partnerships and improve coordination for us to collectively address the NTD crisis.
“Over the years, there have been notable global, continental and country level efforts aimed at controlling and eliminating these diseases with some modest progress made. 51 countries have so far eliminated at least 1 of the 21 NTDs signifying to us that the NTDs agenda is possible. Nigeria continue to support effort to engage with other disease endemic countries, key stakeholders and partners in consonance with the WHO road map”, Salako added.
Salako who expressed his happiness on the progress made in the health sector said more efforts are required to eliminate NTDs in Nigeria.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is gladdening to note that over the last few years, some progress have been made by our country. A few notable progress include:
a. Eradication of Guinea Worm in 2013.
b. Weaning of 29 million people of ivermectin treatment in 10 transmission zones (States) in the country.
c. Elimination of Onchocerciasis in 2 states (Plateau, Nassarawa) and interruption of transmission in addition 8 States (Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra).
d. About 39.5 million people across 20 States and FCT no longer require Lymphatic Filariasis treatment.
e. We have achieved a reduction prevalence in at-risk population of trachoma infection by 84%.
f. 3.5 Million persons in 109 endemic LG across 17 states are no longer in need of Mass Drug Administration.
“Despite these modest achievements, NTDs is still not in the front burner of our healthcare agenda. The Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative offers a robust template to continue to collaborate and engage all stakeholders in our collective resolve to push NTDs out of Nigeria. Also, the decisive step of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Unlock Healthcare Value Chain offers the opportunity to access needed pharmaceuticals and key medical consumables by ramping up local manufacturing. It is my hope that we will continue to work together, mobilize across all of society to eliminate NTDs from our country.
“Let me assure you that the control and elimination of NTDs in Nigeria remains an important element in our drive towards the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage by 2030, the achievement of SDG 3 as well as the eradication of poverty. I call on all States of the federation to join hands with the Federal Government by ensuring the allocation of adequate budgetary funding, mobilizing others sources of domestic funding and also integrating NTDs elimination activities with other disease entities to leverage the economies of scale in their States. Let not allow neglected tropical diseases to result in neglected people”, the Minister said.
