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From Scholastic Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Government has said that it has successfully eliminated blinding trachoma in three local government areas of the state – Gwer East, Gwer West and Ukum.
The success followed sustained interventions under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Control and Elimination Programme of the Ministry of Health and Human Services.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, stated this during a press conference to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, organised in collaboration with Sightsavers. The event was themed, “Unite, Act, Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).”
Ogwuche, who was represented by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Beatrice Tsavmbu, disclosed that the achievement was the outcome of targeted interventions, strong community engagement and years of sustained efforts against neglected tropical diseases in the state.
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He said: “I am proud to announce the elimination of blinding trachoma in three of our most affected areas: Gwer East, Gwer West, and Ukum. No longer will these communities face the blindness that trachoma has long inflicted.”
The permanent secretary noted that despite the progress recorded, Benue State remains highly endemic for several neglected tropical diseases, with over six million residents at risk.
She said: “The 23 LGAs of Benue State have overlapping endemicity for Neglected Tropical Diseases such as Onchocerciasis or River blindness, Lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis, schistosomiasis or bilharziasis, soil transmitted helminthes or intestinal worms, leprosy, buruli ulcer and snake bite envenoming putting over 6 million people at risk.”
She disclosed that the state has treated an average of over five million persons in the last five years through preventive chemotherapy, morbidity management and disability prevention, alongside Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives and integrated vector control.
