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Tag: tropical diseases

  • FG, partners intensify awareness campaign against neglected tropical diseases

    FG, partners intensify awareness campaign against neglected tropical diseases

    The federal government, in collaboration with development partners and civil society organisations, has intensified public awareness efforts on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), warning Nigerians against ignoring illnesses that often progress silently but cause long-term physical, social, and economic damage.

    The stakeholders called for increased funding, early case detection, consistent drug availability, and stronger grassroots engagement as Nigeria pushes toward eliminating neglected tropical diseases.

    Nigeria carries one of the heaviest global burdens of NTDs.

    The Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of the NTD Control Programme, Gambo Yakubu, disclosed that data from recent reports show that 583 of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas are endemic for lymphatic filariasis.

    Yakubu said the scale of other NTDs remains equally troubling, with onchocerciasis or river blindness present in about 480 LGAs, schistosomiasis in 583 LGAs, soil-transmitted helminths in 424 LGAs, and trachoma affecting 133 LGAs nationwide.

    “These diseases are called neglected because they don’t receive the attention they deserve, yet they are silently killing and disabling people, especially in tropical regions like Nigeria,” Yakubu said.

    He spoke in Abuja during a public awareness walk held on Friday to mark the 2026 World NTDs Day, which took participants from Wuse Market to Utako.

    The event drew health officials, development partners, civil society groups, persons affected by NTDs, and other stakeholders.

    Citing Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis, as an example, Chinwe Okoye, National Programme Manager for Lymphatic Filariasis at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said the disease remains one of the most underestimated in Nigeria, despite its widespread impact.

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    She noted that about 119 million Nigerians are currently at risk of lymphatic filariasis, representing nearly half of the global burden and about a quarter of Africa’s cases.

    Stressing that the scale of exposure makes public knowledge and early prevention critical, Okoye said, “When people hear that NTDs are neglected, they assume they are not important. But because they are neglected does not mean they are harmless.

    “Lymphatic Filariasis can stay in your body for five to ten years, silently destroying the lymph cells, and the carrier won’t even know.”

    According to her, World NTDs Day, observed annually, is designed to mobilise governments, communities, and partners around the global theme ‘Unite, Act and Eliminate’, with a focus on ending diseases that perpetuate disability, stigma, and poverty.

    Okoye further explained that LF is transmitted through mosquito bites and thrives in environments with poor sanitation and high mosquito density, conditions common in many parts of the country.

    “The mosquito that bites you today can infect another person tomorrow. And we all know what mosquitoes are doing in Nigeria daily. That is why this disease must not be taken lightly,” she added.

    On the consequences of delayed LF treatment, Okoye said visible symptoms such as swollen limbs and enlarged scrotum often appear only at advanced stages, when damage has already been done.

    “Once the leg becomes that big, it cannot return to normal. That is why early prevention is critical. The shame, emotional trauma, and economic losses are enormous,” she said.

    Speaking on behalf of development partners, Ms. Sarah Pantuvo of The Carter Center said the 2026 theme emphasises collective responsibility.

    “Unite, Act, and Eliminate means decisive action, sustained funding, strong political will, and community ownership. Everyone has a role to play,” she said.

    She disclosed that The Carter Center currently works in 10 States and has supported the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in Plateau and Nasarawa States, making them the first states in Nigeria to achieve that milestone.

    She emphasised that sustained, coordinated efforts and strong political will from both the government and development partners are essential to effectively combat neglected tropical diseases.

    Meanwhile, Peter Teweyuki, President of AIDA Nigeria, an association of persons affected by leprosy, called for improved access to NTD medications and timely treatment.

    “For the past two years, there have been challenges with the availability of leprosy drugs. When treatment is delayed, people develop disabilities, and that leads to stigma and discrimination,” he said.

  • FG reiterates commitment to combat neglected tropical diseases, others

    FG reiterates commitment to combat neglected tropical diseases, others

    …as public health experts call for system overhaul

    The federal government has reiterated its commitment to addressing neglected tropical diseases and other public health challenges in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for collective action from all stakeholders.

    During Thursday’s second APIN Public Health Initiatives annual symposium in Abuja, Prof. Muhammed Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the government’s determination to tackle public health issues through collaboration across sectors.

    Pate stressed the importance of working together to address diseases like malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, which continue to burden poor communities.

    Represented by Nse Akpan, Director of Port Health Services, the Minister acknowledged that significant progress has been made in reducing major diseases but emphasized that more work is needed.

    “Malaria, HIV, and Tuberculosis are the leading public health diseases that are dropping but we still have a lot to do.

    “That’s why the government is working toward a One-Health approach to integrate all programmes and tackle diseases effectively,” he said.

    Pate also underscored the importance of sustainable local initiatives and partnerships, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting stakeholders in creating a healthier Nigeria, saying, “By working together, we can secure our future and achieve a disease-free society”.

    He pointed out that the government is adopting a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to address pollution, sanitation, and other health-related challenges.

    In his opening remarks, Prosper Okonkwo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of APIN Public Health Initiatives, called for an overhaul of Nigeria’s healthcare system. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep flaws in the country’s preparedness for health crises.

    Okonkwo highlighted that while the pandemic weakened strong health systems, weaker systems, like Nigeria’s, were nearly destroyed.

    He insisted that healthcare infrastructure must be prioritised, with improvements in workforce, resources, and regulations.

    “We failed during COVID-19 when we had to send samples abroad for testing, and results often arrived too late to save lives.

    “We must improve our local diagnostic capacity to ensure timely responses,” Okonkwo said.

    He also called for universal health insurance and greater access to care, emphasizing that many Nigerians cannot afford healthcare without immediate cash in hand.

    Okonkwo further stressed the importance of community mobilization and communication, noting that public trust is essential in any health crisis.

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    “If community leaders deny the existence of a disease, it undermines the response efforts,” he warned.

    He emphasized that effective public health campaigns require the engagement of all sectors of society, ensuring that people understand and participate in disease prevention.

    Addressing the need for intersectoral collaboration, Okonkwo explained that health security is not limited to the health sector alone. “Preparedness isn’t just about health; it involves education, transportation, finance, and more,” he said.

    He called for a cultural shift, viewing health as a national security issue. “It’s not enough to react to outbreaks; we must build systems that can endure,” he added.

    Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organisation (WHO), also emphasized the need for resilient health systems and institutions in Nigeria in his keynote address.

    He called for stronger digital infrastructure, streamlined workflows, and enhanced staff capacity through training and resources.

    “External funding must be leveraged to build domestic capacity,” Ihekweazu said, stressing the importance of local ownership of health programs.

    Ihekweazu warned that weak institutions perpetuate a cycle of dependence and called on countries to invest in their health systems.

    “The question is how do we build institutions that will not only respond to today’s crises but also lay the foundation for long-term self-reliance?

    “External partners are supportive, but leadership, expertise, and execution must rest with those closest to the challenges.”

    Representatives from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also underscored the need for international collaboration to combat health threats.

    Funmi Adesanya, PEPFAR’s Coordinator, reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to working with Nigeria to maintain HIV epidemic control beyond 2030.

    McPaul Okoye of the CDC highlighted the importance of accurate data collection and urged continued efforts in preventing gender-based violence and ensuring comprehensive care.

    According to Prof. Oladapo Shittu, the Board Chairman of APIN Public Health Initiatives, the symposium served as a timely reminder that global health security depends on building resilient health systems, strengthening collaboration across sectors, and ensuring that countries, like Nigeria, are equipped to respond to both current and future health challenges.

    Through sustained efforts and partnerships, he noted, stakeholders can aim to secure a healthier, disease-free future for Nigeria and beyond.