FG Launches Strategic Framework, Advocacy Toolkit to Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria by 2030<\/p>\n
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled two landmark policy documents designed to accelerate the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2030.<\/p>\n
The documents namely, the Strategic Framework and Implementation Guidelines for NTDs-WASH and the Advocacy Strategy and Toolkit for NTDs, were disseminated recently at a meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja.<\/p>\n
Delivering the key note address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare,\u00a0 Daju Kachollom described the launch as a turning point in Nigeria\u2019s fight against NTDs, which affect more than 120 million Nigerians and thrive in communities with poor access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).<\/p>\n
A statement issued by Alaba Balogun, the Ministry’s Head of Information & Public Relations, disclosed that the Permanent Secretary, represented by Dr. Nse Akpan, Director, Port Health Division (Public Health Dept. FMoHSW), said, \u201cNTDs remain one of the most significant public health and developmental challenges in our country. They perpetuate cycles of poverty, disability, and stigma”<\/p>\n
\u201cThe framework provides a roadmap linking WASH services with disease control, while the toolkit equips us with the means to mobilise political will, community ownership, and domestic resources,\u201d Kachollom emphasized.<\/p>\n
According to her, the framework is anchored on Nigeria\u2019s NTD Master Plan (2023\u20132027) and the WASH Roadmap (2021\u20132030), integrating efforts across health, water resources, education, and environmental sectors. It emphasizes data sharing, institutional collaboration, operational research, and community-centred service delivery.<\/p>\n
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving the 2030 elimination target, the Permanent Secretary urged all stakeholders, including state and local governments, development partners, and communities to translate strategies into visible results, concluding that access to safe water and sanitation in endemic communities, stronger surveillance systems, improved financing ensure healthier lives which is free from preventable diseases<\/p>\n
Earlier, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director, Public Health Department, represented by Mrs. Chinwe Okoye, Programme Manager National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme FMoHSW; said the advocacy toolkit will be a \u201cpotent instrument for change,\u201d providing strategies to engage policymakers and secure financing for sustained interventions.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the NTD-WASH Subcommittee, Dr. Margaret Mafe, underscored the urgency of scaling up interventions, noting that WASH improvements are critical to eliminating diseases such as trachoma, schistosomiasis, and lymphatic filariasis.<\/p>\n
She stressed that the success of the frameworks will depend on cross-sectoral collaboration, financial investment, and effective use of the advocacy tools to drive policy changes and behavioral shifts.<\/p>\n
The dissemination meeting brought together key stakeholders from federal and state ministries, development partners, civil society organizations, and community representatives. Notably, the event acknowledged the crucial technical and financial support provided by prominent partners, including UNICEF, Sightsavers, CBM, MITOSATH, Helen Keller International, Evidence Action, and the Carter Centre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FG Launches Strategic Framework, Advocacy Toolkit to Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria by 2030 The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled two landmark policy documents designed to accelerate the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2030. The documents namely, the Strategic Framework and Implementation Guidelines for NTDs-WASH and the Advocacy Strategy and Toolkit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":148779,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1755,2385,2386],"class_list":{"0":"post-148778","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-others","8":"tag-daju-kachollom","9":"tag-neglected-tropical-diseases","10":"tag-toolkit"},"yoast_head":"\n