Nigeria Commits to Ending Neglected Tropical Diseases through WASH Integration
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) pose a significant threat to public health in Nigeria, affecting over 100 million people and hindering socioeconomic development. These debilitating infections thrive in regions with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities (WASH). The nexus between NTDs and WASH is undeniable, as the absence of these basic necessities leaves communities vulnerable to pathogens through contaminated water sources and poor hygiene practices. Recognizing the crucial role that WASH plays in combating NTDs, Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious master plan spanning from 2023 to 2027. This comprehensive plan seeks to integrate strategies that address both the diseases and their root causes, underscoring the importance of holistic approaches to achieve sustainable progress against NTDs.
The WASH-NTD Connection
NTDs are often transmitted directly through contact with contaminated water or lack of hygiene. For instance, trachoma, a debilitating eye disease, spreads through flies that come into contact with ocular and nasal discharges from infected individuals. Improved sanitation and face washing can break this cycle of transmission, highlighting the critical role of WASH interventions.
Integration of WASH into NTD control programs enhances their effectiveness and sustainability. Access to safe water sources and sanitation facilities reduces the risk of reinfection from the environment. Additionally, it addresses practical challenges faced by communities when attempting to adopt healthy habits without the necessary infrastructure.
In many endemic areas, the burden of NTDs disrupts routine WASH practices, further propagating disease transmission. Targeted WASH initiatives, such as portable toilet shelters for lymphedema patients, can help interrupt these vicious cycles of disease exposure.
Nigeria's Commitment to NTD Elimination
On World NTD Day 2023, Nigeria's Ministry of Health unveiled its revised NTD Strategic Plan of Action, reflecting the government's commitment to eliminating NTDs in the country. The Former Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, celebrated Nigeria's past achievements, including the eradication of Guinea worm disease in 2013 and the elimination of onchocerciasis transmission in three states. However, he emphasized the need for sustained efforts to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2030 roadmap for global NTD elimination.
He also acknowledged the invaluable support of partners such as WHO, USAID, UNICEF, and local NGOs but called for increased participation from all stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria's response to NTDs in the coming years.
Key Targets of Nigeria's NTD Strategic Plan
The new strategic plan outlines several key targets, including:
Completing epidemiological mapping of NTDs in all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) by 2025.
Achieving trachoma elimination thresholds in all remaining endemic LGAs and discontinuing mass antibiotics distribution nationwide.
Conducting preventive chemotherapy by administering antibiotics/anthelmintics to at least 75% of those requiring treatment annually for conditions like lymphatic filariasis and schistosomiasis.
Managing 80% of the backlog of patients needing surgery for advanced trachoma-related complications by 2025.
Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama, expressed optimism that these targets could be achieved at both the state and national levels if stakeholders diligently implement the new master plan.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Dr. Aliyu Suleiman, WHO's National Professional Officer for NTDs in Nigeria, acknowledged the progress made so far but cautioned that steady funding, service provision, and multi-sectoral partnerships are critical to staying on track with global targets. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing disease mapping, chemotherapy coverage, WASH integration, and resource mobilization.
World NTD Day 2023 spotlighted the theme of collaborative investment for a healthier future without NTDs. Nigeria's 2023-2027 NTD Strategic Plan of Action, if well-resourced and implemented, presents a unique opportunity to guide the country toward overcoming the public health, social, and economic burden imposed by these diseases of poverty and neglect. Committed action from all stakeholders is the key to making this vision a reality, ultimately improving the lives of millions of Nigerians and paving the way for a healthier, more prosperous nation.