2026 World NTDs Day: Osun Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Eliminating Diseases at all Costs



By Segilola Babalola

The Osun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) as it joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.

The State Commissioner for Health, Barrister Jola Akintola, stated this while speaking at the 2026 World NTDs Day commemoration press briefing held at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of the Ministry of Health, State Secretariat, Osogbo. The event was organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

According to the Commissioner, World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is marked annually to raise awareness and mobilise global action towards the elimination of NTDs. He noted that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, reflects the state’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable healthcare delivery.

Barrister Akintola disclosed that a state-wide epidemiological evaluation conducted in 2025 revealed that 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Osun State are endemic for schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis, 28 LGAs are endemic for onchocerciasis (river blindness), while all the 30 LGAs are endemic for soil-transmitted helminths.

He explained that the state government, with the support of its resident partner, Amen Healthcare Foundation, is implementing regular Mass Administration of Medicines (preventive chemotherapy) for the control and elimination of onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in all endemic LGAs, in line with the Federal Ministry of Health’s NTD elimination programme.

The Commissioner further revealed that Osun State has recorded remarkable progress towards meeting the World Health Organization’s 2030 target for NTD elimination, noting that all the 27 LGAs endemic for lymphatic filariasis have successfully passed Transmission Assessment Survey 1 (TAS 1) conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health.
He stressed that beyond chemotherapy, personal and environmental hygiene remain critical to eliminating NTDs. To this end, he said the state government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has implemented Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) promotion activities in 75 communities across Boluwaduro, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, Ede South and Ifedayo LGAs. He added that Odo-Otin Local Government Area is currently in the process of attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status through UNICEF-supported NTD interventions.

Barrister Akintola reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of social status, have access to quality healthcare services. He called on all stakeholders to unite and take decisive action towards the elimination of NTDs in Osun State and Nigeria at large.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Isiaka Adekunle, said Osun State consistently marks World NTDs Day as part of efforts to sensitise the public. He noted that although NTDs are often neglected, they cause significant harm to citizens in Osun State, Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, making sustained awareness and education imperative.

In separate goodwill messages, representatives of Amen Healthcare Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), RUWESA, PPSN and SACON, led by SACON Chairman, Dr Surakat Olabanji, called on stakeholders to answer the global call to unite, act and eliminate NTDs. They urged the state government to continue investing in stronger systems, tools and partnerships that will ensure sustainable, domestically owned and financed NTD programmes.

In his vote of thanks, the Director of Public Health, Dr Akeem Bello, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for providing an enabling and peaceful environment for public health programmes to thrive in Osun State. He also appreciated partners including Amen Healthcare Foundation, UNICEF, WHO, RUWESA, PPSN and SACON for their support, while appealing for increased collaboration to strengthen health sector interventions in the state.

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