Niger State has intensified efforts to address suspected cases of Buruli ulcer in Munya Local Government Area, as health authorities await laboratory results from samples collected from six affected residents.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, disclosed this during a press briefing organised to mark the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day.
The World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is an annual event designated by the World Health Organization to diseases that affect the poor and vulnerable populations.
Bagana explained that residents of Munya had lived with the condition for years, resorting to traditional treatment methods that proved ineffective before reporting the situation to health authorities.
He said the Ministry of Health deployed a team to the area, collected samples from six suspected cases and sent them to Abuja for confirmation.
According to him, although more people are believed to be affected, some residents have refused to present themselves for medical evaluation noting that while the government cannot force individuals to come forward, community cooperation is crucial to effective disease control.
The Commissioner added that drugs are already available following clearance from development partners and called for collaboration with other government agencies to curb the spread of neglected tropical diseases.
The commissioner identified poverty, poor sanitation and unsafe water as the major causes of Buruli ulcer and other NTDs, stressing that improved hygiene and basic sanitation would go a long way in preventing contamination and transmission.
Beyond the Munya situation, Bagana announced significant milestones in Niger State’s fight against neglected tropical diseases, revealing that Guinea Worm Disease has been successfully eliminated in the state and across Nigeria.
“Guinea Worm Disease has been successfully eliminated in Niger State and across Nigeria. This remarkable achievement demonstrates that with political will, sustained investment and effective partnerships, the elimination of other neglected tropical diseases is achievable,” he said.
Bagana disclosed that Niger State has fully aligned with the World Health Organization’s roadmap for NTD control and elimination through preventive chemotherapy, disease mapping and consistent mass administration of medicines.
According to him, trachoma prevalence has dropped from 11.8 percent to 0.2 percent in Kontagora and Rafi Local Government Areas, while 21 local government areas endemic for onchocerciasis have undergone epidemiological evaluation, with 16 successfully passing the assessments.
On lymphatic filariasis, Bagana said 18 out of 19 endemic LGAs have passed pre-transmission assessment surveys, while ten LGAs have completed transmission assessment surveys as part of the elimination process.
He added that surveillance activities remain strong, enabling early detection and prompt response, and disclosed that Niger State achieved 100 percent geographical coverage for all disease-specific elimination interventions implemented between 2019 and 2025.
The commissioner further noted that the integration of NTD interventions with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programmes has been strengthened in Bosso, Gurara, Agaie, Lavun, Gbako and Paikoro local government areas.
Speaking on the theme of the 2026 World NTDs Day, “Unite. Act. Eliminate”, Bagana said it aligns with the vision of the Mohammed Umaru Bago administration, which prioritises equitable and affordable healthcare for all residents of the state.
He called on government institutions, development partners, communities, civil society organisations and the media to unite and act decisively in addressing the inequalities that continue to sustain neglected tropical diseases.
Representatives of partner organisations, including MITOSATH, UNICEF and the World Health Organization, commended the Niger State Ministry of Health for its technical leadership and pledged continued technical and financial support toward achieving the 2030 NTD elimination targets.
Activities marking the 2026 World NTDs Day also included a road walk aimed at raising public awareness and demonstrating collective commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases across Niger State.
