The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for increased investment to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.
It said such efforts would improve the wellbeing of communities across the country.
UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, made the call on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Faji, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
She described NTDs as viral, parasitic, and bacterial diseases prevalent in rural and low-income communities, noting that ‘they are termed “neglected” because they mostly affect the most vulnerable groups.”
Saeed said; “the diseases place a heavy burden on women, children, and entire communities, affecting access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods.”
She stressed “the need for more investment to reduce their impact and improve living conditions.”
The UNICEF Representative commended residents of Faji for embracing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives that have interrupted NTD transmission in the community.
“What we see in this community shows that NTDs are preventable and treatable. When a community works together with its leaders, real change happens,” she said.
Saeed urged residents to sustain their open defecation-free status and continue investing in hygiene, toilets, and handwashing facilities.
She assured them of UNICEF’s continued support and commended their full use of medications provided to treat the diseases.
In his remarks, President and CEO of UNICEF USA, Michael Nyenhuis, praised the community and its traditional ruler for achieving open defecation-free status and stopping NTD transmission.
He encouraged them to sustain good hygiene practices to ensure children’s health and a better future.
Osun State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Moruf Adeleke, represented by Gbadebo Iyanda, also commended UNICEF for launching NTD and WASH programmes in Faji about seven years ago, noting that the interventions have produced remarkable results.
The UNICEF team inspected boreholes, toilets, and other facilities provided under the initiative and received testimonies from residents on how the treatments helped eliminate diseases such as Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis.
The traditional ruler of Faji, Oba Moshood Olaleke, thanked UNICEF and the state government for their support, which he said contributed to the town’s success in eradicating NTDs and promoting hygiene.