The minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako yesterday lamented that despite Nigeria efforts in combating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), it still needs partnership and strong collaboration between private and public sectors, donor countries and multilateral organization to end the diseases.
The Minister stated this in his speech to commemorate 2025 World NTD Day held in Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria has more than 200 million people at the risk of one NTDs or the other with 165 million people needing preventive chemotherapy for at least one NTDs.
“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 worst he added “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”.
He however assured of President Ahmed Tinubu re-energized efforts and momentum to end the suffering from 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.
“Though so far our country has made some progress which include eradication of Guinea Worm in 2013, weaning of 29 million people of ivermectin treatment in 10 transmission zones (States) in the country, elimination of Onchocerciasis in 2 states (Plateau, Nassarawa) and interruption of transmission in addition 8 States (Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra) as well as achieved a reduction prevalence in at-risk population of trachoma infection by 84% among other achievements.
Recall that every year, 26th January to be precise, is a day set aside to mark the WORLD NTD DAY by nations.
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.
End