The Kogi State Ministry of Health, through its Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Programme and in collaboration with Sightsavers, on Monday inaugurated the 2025 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) for the prevention of Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness.
The exercise will cover all 3,200 communities in the state, targeting 4.5 million residents aged five and above. The two-day meeting, held in Lokoja, is aimed at reviewing progress, identifying gaps, and developing strategies for the upcoming Mectizan distribution cycle scheduled for March.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adeiza Abdulazeez, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Steven Momoh, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating river blindness. He acknowledged the support of development partners, including Sightsavers, and urged participants to actively engage to ensure no community is left out.
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Kogi’s NTD Coordinator, Mr. Musa Momohjimoh, noted that the state remains endemic for river blindness due to its water-rich environment, including the River Niger and Benue, and highlighted that mass treatment has been ongoing since 1997, with over 27 rounds administered.
Sightsavers Programme Officer, Phoebe Hindan, emphasised the importance of strategic implementation to close gaps from previous campaigns and achieve elimination rather than continued treatment. The distribution is scheduled to last 10 days, with stakeholders, including health department heads, NAFDAC, and community representatives, pledging support to ensure the success of the programme.