‎The Kogi State Ministry of Health, through its Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Programme, in partnership with Sightsavers, has commenced a two-day strategic planning meeting ahead of the 2025 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) campaign for Onchocerciasis, commonly known as River Blindness. The intervention will cover all 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
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‎Declaring the meeting open on Monday in Lokoja, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adeiza Abdulazeez, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating river blindness across Kogi State.
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‎Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Steven Momoh, the commissioner explained that the meeting is designed to assess past progress, identify existing gaps, and develop effective strategies for the forthcoming Mectizan distribution cycle.
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‎He noted that Kogi State has recorded significant progress in controlling the disease through sustained Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaigns and the dedication of health workers and other stakeholders. The commissioner also acknowledged the vital support of development partners, particularly Sightsavers, urging participants to contribute meaningfully to discussions to ensure that no community is left behind in the fight against the disease.
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‎“The Kogi State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, remains committed to improving the health and well-being of its citizens,” he stated. “The Ministry of Health will continue to provide leadership, coordination, and necessary support for programmes aimed at eliminating neglected tropical diseases.”
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‎Providing further insights, the State NTD Coordinator, Mr. Musa Momohjimoh, explained that Kogi remains endemic for Onchocerciasis largely due to its water-rich environment, with Rivers Niger and Benue flowing through several local government areas. He revealed that treatment efforts in the state began in 1997, with over 27 rounds of drug administration conducted to date.
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‎While acknowledging the substantial achievements recorded, Momohjimoh pointed out that challenges persist, as the disease remains endemic in certain areas. He therefore urged residents to actively participate in the upcoming mass medicine distribution scheduled for March 2026. The exercise will span all 3,200 communities in the state and target approximately 4.5 million residents aged five years and above.
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‎Speaking at the event, Sightsavers Programme Officer, Phoebe Hindan, stressed the importance of strategic and inclusive implementation to ensure that every eligible person benefits from the intervention. She stated that the initiative seeks not only to continue treatment but to close previously identified gaps and move decisively toward eliminating the disease.
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‎According to her, the distribution campaign will last 10 days, and communities are encouraged to take ownership of both the planning and implementation processes to ensure maximum coverage and impact.
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‎Earlier, Betsy Ibenu, NTD Data Manager at Sightsavers, highlighted that the meeting would review implementation strategies and develop a comprehensive work plan aimed at achieving both geographical and therapeutic coverage. She added that discussions would also focus on micro-planning approaches and deep-dive investigations to address specific operational challenges.
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‎Stakeholders present at the meeting included Heads of Department from health departments, NTD team members, representatives of the Kogi State branch of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), NAFDAC, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), among others.
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‎At the close of the opening session, participants collectively pledged their commitment to achieving the objectives of the Mass Administration of Medicines programme and ensuring the eventual elimination of river blindness in Kogi State.
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‎The meeting was officially declared open with high expectations for productive deliberations and successful outcomes.
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