On Thursday, the Federal Government announced its commitment to eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2027. Dr. Nicholas Olobio, Deputy Director and Programme Manager of the National Trachoma Elimination Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health, conveyed this objective during the ongoing two-day National Trachoma Quarterly Review meeting in Abuja.
NTDs encompass 20 conditions primarily prevalent in tropical regions, impacting over a billion individuals residing in underprivileged communities. These diseases are labeled “neglected” due to their minimal presence on the global health agenda, limited funding allocation, and association with stigma and social isolation.
Nigeria bears approximately a quarter (25%) of Africa’s load of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), positioning it as one of the globe’s most prevalent nations for these incapacitating ailments.
According to our sources, a comprehensive plan addressing neglected tropical diseases was unveiled in 2021. This roadmap outlines worldwide objectives to thwart, manage, eliminate, and eradicate a diverse range of NTDs and disease clusters by 2030.
The roadmap strives to rejuvenate momentum, present strategies that intersect various diseases, and promote actions centered on integrated platforms for dispensing interventions.
Dr Olobio said, “Based on the World Health Organisation roadmap, it is for us to eliminate NTDs, including trachoma by 2030, but for us in Nigeria, we have made so much progress and we are looking at 2027 to eliminate the diseases.
“So far, it is done about 85 percent because we have had about when we started we had about 38 million Nigerians at risk of going blind due to trachoma, but it has been reduced significantly to about 3.7 million Nigerians, so you will see that a lot of progress has been made, with support from our partners.”
Oloboi noted that the states are working in partnership with the Local Government Areas to implement strategies, and guidelines, and carry out activities towards the elimination of NTDs.
We have guidelines and all the states follow the guidelines and that is why we have achieved so much progress
He said Adamawa, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Kano, and Katsina states have made progress towards the elimination of NTDs.
“Medicines alone cannot deal with NTDs, but we inculcate water, sanitation, hygiene, and behavioral change. People need to stop the practice of open defecation; even in Abuja, there is open defecation, so we must look for ways to change people’s behavior so that they can improve their ways of sanitation,” Olobio added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Trachoma Taskforce and Sightsavers Global Trachoma Mapping Epidemiologist, Prof. Caleb Mpyet, said the meeting would help to review the level of SAFE strategy for trachoma implemented in each state as recommended by the WHO.
Trachoma stands as the foremost infectious contributor to global blindness. Its origin lies in an obligatory intracellular bacterium named Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection spreads through the direct or indirect transfer of discharges from the eyes and nose of infected individuals, particularly young children who serve as the main reservoir of the infection. Specific fly species can also carry and transmit these discharges.
Countries grappling with endemic trachoma, including Nigeria, are implementing elimination programs employing the WHO-endorsed SAFE strategy. This strategy encompasses surgery to address the blinding stage (trachomatous trichiasis), administration of antibiotics to eliminate the infection, promoting facial cleanliness, and enhancing environmental conditions, notably improving access to water and sanitation.
Mpyet noted substantial advancements in Nigeria’s efforts, with several states reaching the elimination stage. He mentioned examples such as Benue State and Bauchi State, nearing elimination, possibly achieving it by year-end. Progress was also evident in Jigawa State. However, he acknowledged that states like Borno and Yobe may face ongoing challenges due to security issues.
Regarding Nigeria’s goal of eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2027, he expressed a pragmatic outlook. He emphasized that while targets are set in life, circumstances may lead to near-achievements. The COVID-19 pandemic posed setbacks, delaying progress by about two to three years. Thus, if the 2027 target isn’t met, the objective might be attained by 2029.
