Stakeholders are being urged to step up their efforts and secure additional funding to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria by 2030.
The Director General of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research (NITR), Dr. Joachim Joseph Ajakaiye made the call during a public lecture in Kaduna to mark World Neglected Tropical Disease Day.
Dr. Ajakaiye stressed that policymakers must show stronger commitment to addressing the heavy toll of NTDs, especially in impoverished regions where healthcare access and prevention awareness are limited.
He called for more support for organizations like NITR, the Federal Ministry of Health, and partners such as Sightsavers, who are already on the front lines in the fight against these diseases.
“Neglected Tropical Diseases affect more than 1.5 billion people globally, yet they remain overlooked. In Africa, where healthcare systems are under-resourced, the burden of these diseases should not fall on the poorest populations,” he said.
The Kaduna State Coordinator for NTDs, Zainabe Haruna spoke about the state’s progress in tackling these diseases.
She noted that although Onchocerciasis (river blindness) had been previously eliminated in Kaduna, new cases have been detected, prompting the state to take action with several rounds of treatment.
She also mentioned that treatment for schistosomiasis will begin in February across 22 endemic local government areas (LGAs).
The Programme Director for Sightsavers in Kaduna, Anita Gwom also weighed in on the urgency of meeting the 2030 goal.
She emphasized the need for greater accountability from stakeholders and encouraged residents in affected communities to become advocates for disease prevention.
