By Capital Watch Media
The Osun State Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs, highlighting significant progress in achieving this goal.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2025 World NTD Day, held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Health, State Secretariat, Osogbo.
Akintola emphasised that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke is leaving no stone unturned in tackling NTDs.
He noted that the government has consistently conducted mass drug administration across endemic local government areas, LGAs, in alignment with the Federal Ministry of Health’s elimination programme.
According to Akintola, “this year theme is unite, Act, Eliminate NTDS.Osun State is advancing toward the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 target for NTD elimination.”
He revealed that, “27 LGAs endemic for Lymphatic Filariasis have passed various stages of assessment. 15 LGAs have successfully passed Transmission Assessment Survey 1.
“The remaining 12 LGAs have cleared the pre-Transmission Assessment Survey, conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health in 2024.”
The Commissioner also highlighted efforts to improve eye health as part of the broader NTDs intervention.
“Since 2021, over 4,000 people have benefitted from free eye screenings. More than 2,605 free eyeglasses have been distributed across 10 LGAs with support from AMEN Health Care and Empowerment Foundation to prevent vision impairment and blindness.”
He outlined the state government’s hygiene promotion initiatives, including interventions in 75 communities across five local government areas, Boluwaduro, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, Ede South, and Ifedayo, to curb the spread of NTDs.
He also noted that Odo-Otin local government area is on track to achieve Open Defecation-Free, ODF, status with support from UNICEF.
Akintola called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate NTD elimination in Osun State and Nigeria at large.
In their goodwill messages, key stakeholders, Olaloye Tomilola, Programme Officer, NTDs Zonal Office, Dr. Fatoki Basiru, WHO Representative and Emmanuel Mariere, Representative, AMEN Health Care Foundation, commended the Osun State Government, donors, and partners for their unwavering support in the fight against NTDs.
They however advocated for increased financial commitment from the state government to sustain and expand the programme.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Akeem Bello, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle, praised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration for its dedication to eradicating NTDs in Osun.
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Abiodun Boladale, the State Coordinator for the NTDs Program, expressed gratitude to all partners supporting the initiative.
He urged continued collaboration to ensure Osun achieves total NTD elimination.
