In 2024, the Oyo State Government invested N30 million in the mass administration of medicines to 13,401 communities across 298 wards in the state to eradicate elephantiasis, river blindness, bilharzia, and intestinal worms.
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who made the disclosure at the commemoration of the 2025 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, said over 18,000 people were treated for elephantiasis and river blindness and many children for worm infestation, covering over 75 percent of the targeted population for the state.
Ajetunmobi said that Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest burden of NTDs and millions of people remain at risk of these diseases that disproportionately impact the poorest and most marginalized communities.
She declared Oyo State’s resolute determination to eliminate these diseases through strategic investments, partnerships, and innovative approaches, given that they perpetuate cycles of poverty and limit opportunities for growth and development.
“We are able to cover 75 percent of the population, above the target population set by the Federal Ministry of Health for Oyo State. Over 18,000 people were treated for elephantiasis and river blindness aside from treatment of worm infestation in children.
“In 2025 we want to create awareness, particularly in our villages, that there are medicines to prevent these conditions: those large scrotums and big legs, complications of these neglected diseases. The onus is on them to come out.
“Through our community engagement, including the traditional and religious leaders, for them to know the signs and symptoms of these diseases. And we will give them free drugs. They can take the drugs as a preventive measure against the diseases; those already with symptoms of the disease, such as hydrocele (large scrotum) and big legs, can also undergo corrective surgeries.”
Ajetunmobi said the investment, demonstrating Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to health, also supported the training of 18,000 community drug distributors, who played a crucial role in delivering vital medications to prevent and treat lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis as well as the training of 641 health workers at the Local government level to supervisor and support the efforts in the community.
Dr Johnson Babalola, a deputy director for public health at the ministry, in an overview of NTDs, said the four most common NTDs in Oyo State were elephantiasis, river blindness, bilharzia, and intestinal worms, causing chronic illness, disability, and death, reducing productivities and opportunities, and exacerbating poverty, inequality, and social injustice.
Dr Babalola said ensuring a world free of the burden of NTDs, requires urgent attention and action, including increasing awareness and advocacy on these diseases, strengthening healthcare systems and infrastructure, improving access to effective treatments and diagnostic tools, and fostering partnerships and collaborations among governments, donors and civil society organisations.
Permanent Secretary of Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr Kehinde Ayinde, in his welcome address, said for years focus was not on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) because they don’t bring economic incentives to pharmaceutical companies and the burden of deaths and ill health from them is not comparable to that from other diseases like malaria, Tb and HIV.
He urged collaboration among all stakeholders to eliminate neglected tropical diseases and their consequences, which are more endemic in low socioeconomic groups and geographically isolated areas in Nigeria.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE