Nigeria has recorded significant strides in its battle against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), moving decisively towards the World Health Organisation's (WHO) goal of eliminating them by 2030. The Federal Government announced that the country has not only met but exceeded critical assessment targets, leading to millions of citizens no longer requiring preventive medication.
Project Success: Millions Freed from Treatment
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, made the revelation during the closeout ceremony for the $4.9 million BLON Project. He disclosed that approximately 31.1 million Nigerians no longer require treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), while another 16 million people are free from the need for Onchocerciasis treatment.
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and coordinated by Sightsavers, the project was awarded in December 2022. Its core aim was to take 27 million Nigerians off ivermectin treatment by 2024, signaling an end to transmission of both diseases. Dr. Salako confirmed that Nigeria surpassed its initial goals, achieving 148% for LF assessments and 150% for Onchocerciasis assessments.
Extended Initiative and Strategic Surveys
Originally planned as a 17-month initiative to accelerate the stoppage of Ivermectin use, the project was strategically extended at no extra cost in 2024 to conclude in September 2025. This extension ensured more durable and impactful outcomes.
The project's framework involved extensive field surveys to determine the end of disease transmission. Key activities included:
- Epidemiological and Entomological Surveys for Onchocerciasis in six states.
- 54 Pre-Transmission Assessment Surveys (Pre-TAS) and 78 Transmission Assessment Survey 1 (TAS1) for Lymphatic Filariasis across 13 states.
These assessments were crucial in defining whether transmission of Onchocerciasis and LF had truly stopped in the surveyed areas, enabling informed decisions to halt Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM).
Strengthening Health Systems and Building Capacity
Beyond disease control, the project delivered a lasting legacy by strengthening Nigeria's health infrastructure. It provided critical support to four national laboratories:
- UniOsun
- TCC Lab
- NIMR Lab
- A.B.U. Lab
This support came through capacity building and facility upgrades aimed at achieving ISO 15189 accreditation. Furthermore, the initiative trained 65 laboratory technicians in standardized blood collection and over 300 individuals as card readers, data recorders, and field sample collectors. A formal sample retention and disposal policy was also developed.
Dr. Salako commended all project implementers for managing the initiative strategically despite tight deadlines and limited funding. Echoing this sentiment, the Country Director of Sightsavers, Professor Jou Shaubu, highlighted that the program tangibly measured decades of prior work. She emphasized that 31 million Nigerians will no longer need medication to prevent blindness caused by Onchocerciasis, marking a remarkable public health achievement.
This progress positions Nigeria firmly on the path to meeting the WHO's 2030 roadmap for ending NTDs, showcasing a successful model of partnership between government, international donors, and coordinating agencies.
