The Enugu State Government has recorded landmark achievements in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), including the interruption of transmission of river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, as it joined the global community to mark World NTD Day 2026.
Speaking during activities to commemorate the day, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the celebration, which marks the seventh anniversary of the 2012 London Declaration on NTDs, provides an opportunity to showcase progress made by the state and renew calls for sustained investment.
Prof. Ugwu noted that Enugu State aligned with the 2026 theme, “Unite, Act and Eliminate NTDs towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, stressing that ending NTDs remains central to public health equity and development.
According to him, Neglected Tropical Diseases—caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi and toxins—continue to affect over 1.5 billion people globally, with an estimated 122 million Nigerians at risk, largely due to poor access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare.
“These diseases are often ignored because they develop slowly and lack dramatic symptoms, yet they cause chronic illness, disability, disfigurement and stigma,” Ugwu said, adding that preventive medicines and improved water, sanitation and hygiene remain critical to their control.
Enugu’s Progress and Disease Burden
The commissioner disclosed that at the inception of the NTD programme in Enugu State, 17 local government areas were endemic for river blindness with a prevalence of 40 per cent, while 14 LGAs were affected by lymphatic filariasis, and 18 LGAs recorded schistosomiasis infections. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis, he said, was present in all LGAs at varying levels.
He explained that through sustained mass administration of medicines (MAM) across 6,407 villages and schools, Enugu State significantly reduced disease burden, leading to recent evaluation results showing 0.3 per cent prevalence for river blindness and zero prevalence for lymphatic filariasis.
“Today, Enugu State is at a critical threshold. With a final push over the next few years, river blindness and lymphatic filariasis will be consigned to history, just as we eliminated guinea worm disease,” he said.
Millions Reached Through Mass Drug Administration
Highlighting the scale of interventions, Prof. Ugwu revealed that millions of residents had benefited from treatments over the past three decades.
“Between 1995 and 2024, Enugu State administered 39,038,658 cumulative treatments for onchocerciasis (river blindness) across 17 endemic LGAs, and in 2025 alone, an additional 1,502,664 persons were treated in targeted areas,” the commissioner stated.
He added, “For lymphatic filariasis, 20,665,117 treatments were administered across 14 LGAs between 2014 and 2024. Schistosomiasis interventions covered 15 LGAs, resulting in 2,394,059 treatments, while soil-transmitted helminthiasis control efforts in 10 LGAs accounted for 4,778,505 treatments within the same period.”
Ugwu said the sustained treatment campaigns were instrumental in halting transmission of river blindness and interrupting lymphatic filariasis in 14 LGAs.
Call for Sustained Action and Partnerships
While noting progress against preventive chemotherapy NTDs, the commissioner expressed concern over innovative disease management NTDs such as rabies, snakebite, Buruli ulcer, hydrocele, leprosy, yaws and scabies, which he said are often misdiagnosed or untreated.
He called for stronger collaboration with development partners, researchers and healthcare providers to improve diagnosis, surveillance and treatment, stressing that eliminating NTDs is essential to achieving SDG 3 and reducing poverty.
Ugwu urged communities to fully participate in mass drug administration exercises, traditional and religious leaders to support mobilisation, and the media to amplify accurate information on prevention and control.
“In Enugu State, no community will be left behind. Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and disease associated with neglected tropical diseases,” he said.
Carter Center Commends Enugu Government
Earlier, the Director of The Carter Center Nigeria, Dr. Abel Eigege, commended the Enugu State Government for its sustained partnership, describing it as mutually beneficial.
Dr. Eigege disclosed that transmission of lymphatic filariasis has been interrupted across the state, leading to the suspension of all treatments, while onchocerciasis transmission has also been halted, despite a recent resurgence.
He expressed appreciation to the state government for providing free office accommodation to the organisation, noting that very few states offer such support.
“As long as funding is available, The Carter Center will continue to support the fight against neglected tropical diseases in Enugu State,” Eigege assured.
