By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The high-level advocacy meeting between the federal government and state commissioners of health on Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs, has ended in Abuja with an agreement by both sides to collaborate to bridge the funding gaps observed.

The parties agreed that expeditious actions through strategic planning and increased funding were critical to eliminating NTDs in the country.

Neglected tropical diseases,NTDs,according to the World Health Organisation, WHO, are a diverse group of conditions caused by a variety of pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins) and associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences.

NTDs are mainly prevalent among impoverished communities in tropical areas, although some have a much larger geographical distribution.

Speaking at the event,the National Coordinator for NTDs at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Fatai Oyediran, said a total $19m was needed to effectively address the neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria.

He said,“We developed our NTDs master plan for 2023–2027. With adequate investment, these diseases can be controlled and eradicated. Mobilizing resources and implementing this plan strategically will ensure NTDs in Nigeria become a thing of the past.

He blamed poor funding as the primary challenge in addressing NTDs,insisting that most states lack dedicated budgetary provisions for addressing the diseases.

He said:“We are engaging health commissioners to encourage their governors and budget ministries to establish a dedicated budget line for NTDs. “

The Director of Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation at United to Combat NTDs, Stuart Halford, tasks authorities to give more attention to the diseases, especially given the harm it was causing to the nation’s economy and productivity.

Also speaking at the event, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam,said her state has done a lot in tackling neglected tropical diseases.

The commissioner said the painstaking efforts of the state government had resulted to total eradication of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in the state.

She,however,said there was the need for renewed focus and funding to achieve the complete elimination of NTDs.

On his part, the Abia State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, regretted that four NTDs—onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, and schistosomiasis, were prevalent in the state.

He said:“Through mass drug administration programs, Abia achieved certification for breaking the transmission of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in 2022.”

The parties at the high-level meeting reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases across the country.

Recall that Nigeria, alone,accounts for approximately 50% of Africa’s NTDs burden and 25% globally.