The Federal Government has declared its aspiration to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by the year 2027.
This announcement was made by Dr. Nicholas Olobio, the Deputy Director and Programme Manager of the National Trachoma Elimination Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health.
Dr. Olobio conveyed this ambitious goal during the National Trachoma Quarterly Review meeting in Abuja.
NTDs comprise a group of 20 diverse conditions that primarily afflict tropical regions, affecting over one billion individuals residing in marginalized communities.
The nomenclature “neglected” stems from the fact that these diseases have historically received scant attention on the global health agenda, limited funding, and are accompanied by stigma and social isolation.
Nigeria shoulders a substantial burden, accounting for roughly 25 percent of Africa’s NTDs cases. This positions the nation as one of the most endemic countries for these debilitating illnesses on a global scale.
In 2021, a roadmap was launched to address neglected tropical diseases. This comprehensive strategy outlines global objectives to prevent, control, eliminate, and eradicate various NTDs and disease groups by the year 2030.
The roadmap is designed to invigorate progress, propose tactics that intersect multiple diseases, and promote integrated platforms for intervention delivery.
Dr. Olobio affirmed that Nigeria has already made substantial strides, reducing the number of individuals at risk of trachoma-induced blindness from 38 million to 3.7 million.
He emphasized that this impressive 85 percent reduction has been achieved through collaboration with partners and adherence to strategic guidelines.
He highlighted that states are working hand in hand with Local Government Areas to implement strategies and activities toward NTD elimination.
The implementation process encompasses not only medicinal interventions but also water, sanitation, hygiene, and behavioral changes.
Dr. Olobio underscored the need to transform sanitation practices, including the discontinuation of open defecation, to foster improved public health.
The National Trachoma Taskforce Chairman, Prof. Caleb Mpyet, also echoed the significant progress made in Nigeria, with certain states nearing the elimination stage.
He emphasized that although the COVID-19 pandemic caused setbacks, the target of eradicating NTDs by 2027 might extend to 2029 if necessary.
Neglected Tropical Diseases have been a long-standing challenge, and Nigeria’s commitment to their eradication demonstrates a crucial step forward in improving public health and bolstering the well-being of marginalized communities.