Carter Center, Ebonyi Govt Treat Over 1.5m Residents for Neglected Tropical Diseases
By Nkechinyere Ewa
The Ebonyi State Government, in collaboration with the , says it has successfully treated over 1.5 million residents for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the past year.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, disclosed this on Thursday in Abakaliki during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
Although the global event is observed annually on January 30, the state marked the day on February 13 to highlight ongoing interventions and progress made in tackling the diseases.
The ministry and the Carter center moved round major streets in Abakaliki to sensitize the people on NTDs and preventable measures to adopt.
Ekuma said the present administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru has prioritised the health sector under its People’s Charter of Needs agenda, stressing that no resident should suffer from preventable and treatable diseases.
He listed the prevalent NTDs in the state to include lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms), noting that the diseases mostly affect rural and underserved communities.
According to him, Nigeria has recorded a 49 per cent reduction in soil-transmitted helminths and a 75 per cent reduction in schistosomiasis in several endemic areas, while Ebonyi State has made significant progress through sustained mass administration of medicines.
“In the last year alone, we successfully treated over 1.5 million Ebonyians through school-based and community-based deworming and other NTD interventions,” he said.
The commissioner added that the ministry had expanded care for persons already living with NTD-related disabilities, including hydrocele surgeries and lymphedema management training for caregivers.
He said the ministry also partnered with the Ministry of Water Resources to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) by prioritising borehole projects in identified hotspots across local government areas.
The commissioner urged residents to accept free NTD medicines distributed by health workers and to report symptoms such as unusual limb swelling or persistent skin irritation to the nearest health facility.
“By tackling neglected tropical diseases, we are investing in the future of our children and the prosperity of our state,” Ekuma said.
Speaking, a representative of the Carter Center in the state Attama Egodi reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Ebonyi until the diseases are completely eliminated.
She explained that the non-profit organisation, founded by former United States President, focuses on NTD control in Nigeria, while implementing other humanitarian programmes in different countries.
She pledged continued support for hydrocele surgeries, lymphedema management and drug distribution, stressing the need for sustained political commitment from the state government.
The State NTD Coordinator, Dr. Itumo Daniel, commended the Carter Center for its consistency and described its intervention as impactful.
He revealed that a Coverage Evaluation Survey, conducted by independent evaluators from outside the state, was ongoing to assess the effectiveness of previous mass drug administration exercises.
Daniel said the 2026 theme, “Unite to Act Towards Elimination of NTDs,” underscores the resolve to move beyond control to total elimination of the diseases in line with the World Health Organisation’s 2030 roadmap.
