The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has stated that Nigeria is making commendable strides toward the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), with the country targeting total eradication by 2030.
Dr. Babatunde Adewale, Director of Research at NIMR, made this known during the institute’s monthly media interaction aimed at enlightening the public on key health research findings.
Adewale explained that NTDs are a group of debilitating diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses—mostly affecting populations in rural and underserved communities.
“Nigeria has progressed to the stage of interrupting disease transmission. We are now shifting from controlling river blindness to eliminating it,” he said.
He revealed that over 37 million Nigerians are no longer in need of treatment for river blindness, though 43 million people remain at risk and are still eligible for treatment.
“More than 10 states in Nigeria have reached the interruption-of-transmission stage and are currently under surveillance to prevent a resurgence,” Adewale added.
Discussing onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, Adewale noted that it is transmitted through the bites of infected black flies. The primary treatment for the disease is Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug approved by the World Health Organisation.
He stressed that the treatment is ongoing across most Nigerian states, except Lagos and Rivers, where the disease is not prevalent.
“With the introduction of Ivermectin in the 1990s, mass drug administration was adopted as the main control strategy in Nigeria,” he said. “However, evidence from Nigeria, Mali, and Senegal has shown that Ivermectin can do more than control—it can help eliminate the disease entirely.”
He said this finding prompted a paradigm shift from control to elimination, with community-led distribution models playing a key role.
“In our community-directed treatment model, local volunteers are trained to distribute Ivermectin, increasing coverage and ownership within affected areas,” he said.
Dr. Adewale noted that NIMR is part of a network of four laboratories supporting the Federal Ministry of Health in monitoring progress toward NTD elimination.
Beyond lab diagnostics, the institute also contributes technical expertise and research support—key components in tracking disease trends and evaluating treatment strategies.
“NIMR’s contributions include laboratory support, data analysis, and field research—all vital to understanding and sustaining progress,” he added.
