FG set to improve healthcare access to combat NTDs

The Federal Government says it will focus attention on millions of people with  no access to prevention, treatment and care services of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) to counter the social determinants of health.

Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, said this in Abuja during the commemoration of the World NTDs Day with theme: “Unite. Act. Eliminate.”

Salako said that the day was an opportunity to re-energise the momentum to end the suffering from these 21 diseases caused by a variety of pathogens, viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

“We shall focus attention on millions of people with little or no access to prevention, treatment and care services to counter the social determinants of health.

“The roll out of the ten years NTDs road map for 2021 to 2030 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) sets ambitious targets and innovative approaches to tackle NTDs.

“It also provides a blueprint for global elimination,” he said.

Salako said that the significance of the  day  was to renew global and national awareness to address the magnitude of NTD problems.

According to him, the day will also provide opportunities for stakeholders to highlight the progress being made, challenges encountered and advocate support for prevention, control and elimination effort.

He said that in  2025 the government included Leprosy day as part of  NTDs days, as a way of integration and collaboration.

In his speech, Mr Peter Terver, President, IDEA-Nigeria, the National Association of Persons Affected by Leprosy, said that for over a year, critical Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) medications have been unavailable.

Terver said that act left more than 3,000 diagnosed individuals, including 800 children, without treatment.

“The delays were not just administrative failures,  but a human rights violation.

“Bureaucratic bottlenecks, such as additional NAFDAC requirements and permit expirations, continue to block the supply of life-saving medicines.

“Despite our repeated appeals, no action has been taken.

“This neglect is reversing Nigeria’s progress in leprosy elimination, increasing disease transmission, and pushing affected individuals further into stigma and suffering,” he said.

Terver called on the government to immediately remove regulatory barriers preventing the supply of MDT.

He said that an uninterrupted flow of medications must be guaranteed to prevent further disabilities and suffering.