The federal government has reiterated it’s commitment to tackling
Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTDs) in the country through multi-sectoral approach.
The minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who made this known at the commemoration of the 4th World NTDs Day ministerial press briefing in Abuja, said that the approach would be achieved in the roll out of the 10-year NTDs road map(2021 to 2030)by the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed ambitious targets and the innovative approaches to tackle NTDs and provide blueprint and direction to global elimination.
He said: “The plan is an integrated approach to deliver programmes, with emphasis on three approaches such as moving from process to impact measuring for accountability; putting in place effective multi-sectoral approach and integration of NTDs, country ownership and political commitment for sustainability”.
Ehanire further disclosed that Nigeria has reviewed its NTD Masterplan 2023 to 2027 which was launch today as he enjoined stakeholders to use the document as a guide for the attainment of Nigeria’s goals.
The minister, however, disclosed that substantial progress has been made in the past decade, evidenced by the Guinea Worm Disease eradication in 2013, onchocerciasis transmission elimination in Plateau and Nasarawa States in 2019, with imminent prospects of Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara States being free of the disease soon, leaving Nigeria with fewer endemic states, and over 28 million persons no longer needing treatment.
He further disclosed that WASH-NTDs integration landscape analysis is ready for desk review with existing studies, campaigns, WASH and NTD national and sub-national plans; for gap analysis to strengthen WASH and NTD efforts to date”.
“Despite modest achievements, NTDs has been on the back burner, with little or no attention to implementation of plans to reduce poverty and improve wellbeing of sufferers”.
“It is important to note that control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria will significantly contribute to attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and all hands must be on the deck to achieve this”. He added.
Meanwhile, the WHO director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said despite the progress made, there was still a lot of work to be done.
“Around the world, millions of people have been liberated from the burden of neglected tropical diseases, which keep people trapped in cycles of poverty and stigma.
‘‘The good news is, we have the tools and the know-how not just to save lives and prevent suffering, but to free entire communities and countries of these diseases. It’s time to act now, act together, and invest in NTDs.”
Tedros therefore, asked country leaders to invest in efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.
‘‘The new report emphasizes greater efforts and investments required to reverse delays and accelerate progress towards the NTD road map targets by 2030.
“Promoting country ownership and accountability, as well as the sustainability and predictability of financing, including more robust domestic funding, are key to achieving the NTD road map goals and enabling countries to deliver on their commitments to provide quality NTD services to affected populations’’. He said.
