Over 6m At Risk Of Neglected Tropical Diseases In Benue – Experts

Health experts have raised the alarm that over 6 million people in Benue State are at the high risk of contracting Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

The state coordinator, Mark Debam who disclosed this in a meeting with stakeholders on the control and elimination of the NTDs to commemorate the World Day for NTDs named the most prevalent Neglected diseases to include river blindness, lymphatic filariasis also known as elephantiasis, soil transmitted helminth or intestinal worms, schistosomiasis or bilharziasis and onchocerciasis.

In a presentation, the permanent secretary of the Ministry for Health and Human Services, Dr Beatrice Tsavmbu, lamented that Neglected Tropical Diseases are a group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting over 1.8 billion people worldwide, mostly the vulnerable.

She described the 2025 theme which is “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs” as apt, saying “this day is not just a reminder of the challenges we face but a call to action, a call to unite, act, and eliminate the scourge of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that continue to afflict the most vulnerable among us.”

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According to her, “in Benue State NTDs endemicity portends a great challenge to the attainment of the sustainable development goal 3 (SDG 3) and WHO 2030 NTDs road map targets as 23 LGAs are endemic for Onchocerciasis also known as River Blindness, 16 LGAs are endemic for lymphatic filariasis also known as elephantiasis, soil transmitted helminthes or intestinal worms is endemic in 18 LGAs and schistosomiasis or bilharziasis is endemic in 22 LGAs”

While recognizing the tireless efforts of healthcare workers, researchers, and community leaders who work on the front lines in challenging conditions to bring relief and hope to those affected, she lamented that NTDs are often overlooked and underfunded, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and suffering and impacting communities that are already marginalized and impoverished.

“Our theme for this year ‘Unite. Act. Eliminate’ encapsulates the essence of our mission. We must unite as a global community, leveraging our collective resources, knowledge, and expertise to combat these diseases, we also act with urgency and determination, implementing sustainable interventions that address the root causes of NTDs. And we must strive to eliminate these diseases by 2030,” she added.

She informed that three LGAs of Konshisha, Ukum and Logo have passed transmission assessment survey 1 (TAS 1) for lymphatic filariasis conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) implying a significant reduction in prevalence.

“We were also able to manage 843 hydrocele cases through free hydrocelectomy, a total of 388 lymphoedema cases or elephantiasis by providing free management kits and training to affected persons and caregivers, as well as manage 44 trachoma trichiasis TT cases through free surgeries.”

The representative of the WHO Ayuba Ibrahim said in December last year, the United Arab Emirates, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other donors at the 2023 Reaching the Last Mile Forum at COP28 in Dubai, committed to investing more than US$ 777 million to boost efforts to end NTDs.

He said, “WHO in Africa has also recently unveiled a new blueprint to drive the region’s strategy towards ending disease across Africa, anchored in the principals of universal health coverage and strengthening health systems”