The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has announced that 47.1 million Nigerians no longer require treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis) and Onchocerciasis (river blindness).
Salako made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja at the close-out ceremony of the BLON project, an initiative that delivered Nigeria’s largest-ever assessments for the two neglected tropical diseases across 13 states. The project, funded with $4.9 million from the Gates Foundation, aimed to close critical gaps in Nigeria’s elimination roadmap.
According to the minister, Nigeria exceeded its disease-control targets, with 31.1 million people no longer needing treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis and 16 million for Onchocerciasis, surpassing the initial target of 27 million people. The project conducted 46 Emergency Medical Services (Pre-TAS), 116 TAS 1 and 3 epidemiological surveys, and one breeding site assessment, achieving 148 per cent of LF assessments and 150 per cent of Onchocerciasis assessments.
Salako highlighted the project’s contribution to strengthening the health system, including upgrading and accrediting four laboratories — UniOsun, TCC Lab, NIMR Lab, and A.B.U. Lab — and training 65 laboratory technicians, over 300 field personnel, and staff of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on standardized procedures for sample collection, transportation, and data recording.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Health Minister Identifies Neglected Tropical Diseases as Major Threat
Prof. Joy Shuaibu, Country Director for Sightsavers Nigeria, said the programme’s impact goes beyond cost savings, enabling millions of Nigerians to live healthier, more productive lives without the need for preventive medication. She added that Sightsavers and partners are seeking additional funding to extend the initiative and scale up nationwide assessments.
The National Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Fatai Oyediran, also emphasized the project’s role in enhancing laboratory practices, data management, and rural health worker training. He noted that the laboratories have been upgraded and accredited to ISO 15189 standards and that sample retention and disposal policies have been developed to guide future disease assessments.
Oyediran further appealed to the Gates Foundation for an extension of the project, noting the potential to bring more laboratories and communities into the programme to sustain and expand its impact.