Olu Samuel

The Kogi State Ministry of Health’s Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs) Programme, in collaboration with Sightsavers, has launched a two-day planning meeting for the 2025 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) for Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) in the state’s 21 Local Government Areas.

The State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Adeiza Abdulazeez, who declared the meeting open on Monday in Lokoja, reaffirmed State Government’s commitment to eliminating river blindness in the state.

Represented by Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Steven Momoh, the commissioner said the meeting aims to review progress, identify gaps, and develop strategies for the upcoming Mectizan distribution cycle.

He noted that the state had made progress in controlling the disease through Mass Drug Administration campaigns and dedication of health workers and stakeholders.

The commissioner acknowledged the support of development partners, including Sight Savers, and urged participants to actively engage in discussions to ensure no community is left behind.

“Kogi State Govt, led by Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo, is committed to improving citizens’ health and well-being.

“The Ministry of Health will provide leadership, coordination, and support for neglected tropical diseases elimination programmes,” he said.

The commissioner urged participants to engage actively, share experiences, and contribute to discussions, working together to ensure no community is left behind in eliminating river blindness.

The State NTD Coordinator, Mr Musa Momohjimoh, explained that Kogi State is endemic for Onchocerciasis due to its water-rich environment, with River Niger and Benue flowing through several local governments.

“The treatment of river blindness has been ongoing in Kogi State since 1997, with over 27 rounds of treatment administered.

“While we’ve achieved great success, there are still challenges, and the disease remains endemic in some areas,” Momohjimoh said.

He urged citizens to participate in the mass medicine distribution in March 2026,, which will cover all 3,200 communities in the state, targeting 4.5 million people aged five and above.

Sightsavers Programme Officer, Phoebe Hindan, emphasized the importance of strategic implementation to ensure no one misses out on the intervention.

“The exercise aims to close gaps observed in previous implementations and ensure the elimination of the disease, not just continued treatment.

“The distribution will last for 10 days, and we urge participants to ensure their communities are involved in the planning and implementation process, she said.

Earlier, Betsy Ibenu, the NTD Data Manager, Sightsavers, said the meeting aims to review implementation strategies, develop a work plan for achieving geographical and therapeutic coverage.

She emphasised that the meeting would discuss strategies for micro-planning and deep dive investigations.

The stakeholders at the meeting included: HOD health departments and NTD team members, Kogi state branch of Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) NAFDAC, CAN, JNI, among other.

Participants pledged their commitment to achieving the aims of the Mass Administration of Medicines for river blindness.

The meeting was officially declared open, with expectations of fruitful deliberations and a successful outcome.