Kogi Govt, Sightsavers Target 240,000 Children For 2026 Schistosomiasis Drug Campaign

Kogi State government, in collaboration with Sightsavers, plan to reach more than 240,000 children aged between five and 14 years during the 2026 Schistosomiasis Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) exercise across 39 wards in 15 local government areas.

This was unveiled during a two-day state-level planning meeting convened on Wednesday by the Ministry of Health’s Department of Public Health, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Control Programme, in partnership with Sightsavers.

The meeting focused on developing strategies for the 2026 treatment campaign, validating drug quantification, strengthening micro-planning and finalising the implementation timeline for the control of schistosomiasis, commonly known as bilharzia.

Declaring the meeting open, the commissioner for Health, Dr Abdullazeez Adams, described schistosomiasis as a major public health challenge in Kogi State, particularly among school-age children, farmers, fishermen and residents of communities located near freshwater bodies.

Represented by the permanent secretary, Mr Maji Enoch, the commissioner noted that the disease contributes to poor school attendance, reduced productivity and adverse health outcomes.

He said the meeting would review lessons from previous treatment rounds, strengthen social mobilisation efforts and training for teachers and Community Drug Distributors (CDDs), while placing emphasis on data quality, equity and beneficiary safety.

Adams commended Sightsavers and the Federal Ministry of Health for their technical and financial support and urged stakeholders at the local government level to sustain collaboration in order to “reach the last child in the last community.”

The National Programme Manager at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Jacob Solomon, said Nigeria remains committed to achieving the World Health Organisation’s 2030 target for the elimination of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

He described Kogi State’s progress since the baseline mapping exercise as significant and urged stakeholders to remain committed to reaching the last mile.

According to him, the intervention was designed to cover all children between the ages of five and 14, regardless of whether they are enrolled in school or not.

The State NTD Coordinator, Mr Musa Momohjimoh, disclosed that the exercise would involve the administration of Praziquantel in 39 wards identified as endemic following a 2015 survey and in line with revised WHO guidelines.

He explained that teachers would administer the drugs in schools under the supervision of health workers, while Community Drug Distributors would ensure that out-of-school children are also reached.

Momohjimoh added that radio jingles and the engagement of religious and community leaders would be deployed to boost public awareness and participation.

Speaking on behalf of Sightsavers, Programme Officer Mrs Phoebe Hindan said treatment would be restricted to wards with demonstrated need based on available evidence.

She described Praziquantel as a safe and effective medicine that has been used in Kogi State for more than a decade and appealed to parents to allow their children to participate in the exercise.

Hindan noted that misconceptions surrounding the drug had led to refusals in some communities in previous years, warning that untreated schistosomiasis could result in serious health complications later in life.

The state government said the campaign would cover pupils in public and private schools as well as out-of-school children, advising parents and guardians to contact the Ministry of Health for further enquires.

Also speaking, a participant and former Education Secretary of the Kogi Local Government Education Authority, Mr Salihu Usman, pledged the commitment of stakeholders to ensuring a successful and result-oriented exercise capable of achieving its intended objectives.