Minister Lauds Gates Foundation As Over 30M People Saved from treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis,16M no longer Need Treatment For Onchocerciasis
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has lauded Gates Foundation in its supports for eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis in Nigeria Assessment to stop Ivermectin (IVM) treatment project .Salako spoke at the Foundation’s close out ceremony and virtual results presentation meeting held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Lake Green Hotel, Abuja.
The Minister noted that the programmed supported by Gates Foundation was supposed to be a 17-month project towards accelerating stoppage of Ivermectin use in Nigeria. However, in the spirit of ensuring long lasting and positively impactful outcomes, it was extended at no cost in 2024 to end in September 2025. He thanked the implementors of the project for strategically managing it to achieve its expected goals and results despite tight timelines and limited funding.
The Gates Foundation (GF) through this project supported the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) in Nigeria to address the increasing number of LGAs (Local Government Areas) eligible for community-based impact and surveillance surveys. This aided Mass Administration of Medicine (MAM) stopping decisions for Onchocerciasis (OV) and Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) over 3 years, reducing both the geographic area and number of people that would require Mectizan (Ivermectin) Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM).
GF approved about 4.9m dollars to support the Oncho and LF survey in Nigeria and appointed Sight savers as the grant managers to work with the Ministry. At the project inception, the plan was for 2 Epidemiological Surveys, 5 entomological Surveys in 6 states and 1 Breeding Site assessment for Onchocerciasis project; The Lymphatic Filariasis surveys were planned for 54 Pre-Transmission Assessment Survey (EMS) and 78 Transmission Assessment Survey 1 to hold in 13 States covering 49 LGAs for the Pre-Transmission Assessment Survey (Pre-TAS) and 69 LGAs for Transmission Assessment Survey 1 (TAS 1). The results of these assessments were to determine the end of the disease transmission. This was to define the presence or otherwise of continued transmission of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis in Nigeria. The aim was to take 27 million people (Nigerians) out of ivermectin treatment/use by 2024 which is an indication of the end of transmission as a precursor to eradication of both Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis. This puts Nigeria in an advanced stage towards achieving the goals of the WHO roadmap to end NTDs by 2030.
Salako said that Nigeria has been able to deliver beyond the targets as 31.1m people no longer require treatment for LF and 16m people no longer need treatment for Onchocerciasis as against 27m people initially targeted.
“We were able to do 46 EMS (PreTAS), 116 TAS 1, 3 Epidemiological Survey and 1 Breeding Site Assessment. By implication, Nigeria hit a mark of 148% for LF Assessments and 150% for Onchocerciasis assessments. This project additionally has helped in strengthening our health system through the following:
- Supporting 4 laboratories (UniOsun, TCC lab, NIMR lab and A.B.U lab) through capacity building and facility upgrade (ISO 15189 accreditation)
- Trained 65 laboratory technicians on standardized blood collection
- Trained over 300 people as card readers, data recorders and field sample collectors
- Supported the development of sample retention and disposal policy
- Trained FOMHSW staff and Partners on sample transportation model and implemented through certified 3rd party logistics to the analysing labs
- Annual workplan harmonization meetings and FTS quantification
“As this project winded up in September and we are officially closing today, I wish to appreciate Gates Foundation for the support given that really propelled us to the level we are witnessing today. I also want to thank our NGDO coalition for NTDs, particularly, TCC, CBM, Mitosath, Hands, HKI and Amen Health Foundation for their tireless effort and support. Special thanks goes to the Sightsavers for the prudent and transparent management of the funds and our various States Ministries of Health and Staff for their effective support and collaboration”.
