Trachoma risk falls from 41m to 4m – FG

The Federal Government reports a dramatic drop in Nigerians at risk of trachoma-related blindness, declining from 41 million to four million after mass drug administration ceased in 116 of 134 endemic Local Government Areas.

This update emerged during the Trachoma Quarterly Review Meeting, where national and state Neglected Tropical Diseases programmes assessed progress toward eliminating trachoma and shared significant operational developments guiding Nigeria’s elimination strategy.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Friday, organised the Abuja event in collaboration with Sightsavers Nigeria and key partners, reaffirming a united national commitment to ending trachoma transmission and associated blindness nationwide.

Dr Fatai Oyediran, National Coordinator of the NTD Division, explained that 463 local government areas were mapped for intervention, identifying 134 as endemic and requiring comprehensive, sustained elimination strategies for effective national coverage.

He noted that mass drug administration was implemented in all endemic areas except insecure Borno State, adding that stopping treatment in 116 local government areas demonstrated significant nationwide programme achievements.

Oyediran said halting treatments in 116 of 134 endemic areas reflected roughly 87 per cent reduction in disease burden, with initial nationwide assessments indicating the programme had considerably exceeded early elimination expectations.

He highlighted that reducing the at-risk population from 41 million to fewer than four million demonstrated remarkable progress, effectively safeguarding millions previously threatened by trachoma-related blindness across numerous vulnerable communities.

According to him, approximately 36 million Nigerians are no longer at risk, showing major national progress and placing the country on the threshold of officially eliminating trachoma within the projected timeframe.

He added that the quarterly meeting supported stakeholders in reviewing 2025 activities and preparing coordinated national and state-level trachoma elimination plans toward stronger implementation across priority regions in 2026.

Prof. Adamu Mohammed, Chair of the National Trachoma Task Force, emphasised achieving nearly 90 per cent reduction in trachoma-related blindness, describing it as significant national progress demonstrating effective prevention and treatment strategies.

He explained that surgeries, improved water access, enhanced sanitation, and consistent treatment contributed significantly to reducing trachoma cases, with all 134 endemic local government areas receiving substantial intervention coverage.

Sightsavers Nigeria Country Director, Prof. Joy Shuai’bu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment, noting its financial and technical support across approximately 18 states through surgeries, antibiotic distribution, and ongoing national programme guidance.

She stressed that Sightsavers’ participation in the National Trachoma Task Force strengthened technical decision-making and accelerated elimination progress, marking trachoma as one of the most achievable neglected tropical disease targets in Nigeria.

Shuai’bu reiterated Sightsavers’ commitment to achieving nationwide trachoma elimination by 2029, emphasising that ongoing collaboration with government and partners remained essential for sustaining momentum and protecting remaining at-risk populations.