FG Steps Up WASH, Disease Surveillance to Eliminate Trachoma

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to eliminate trachoma in Nigeria by strengthening disease surveillance and expanding water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in communities where the disease remains endemic.

The Director of the National Trachoma Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Nicholas Olobio, disclosed this at the Accelerate Trachoma Elimination Programme Learning Event held in Abuja.

Olobio said Nigeria has made significant progress in its campaign against the neglected tropical disease, revealing that more than 100,000 trachoma surgeries have been successfully carried out, representing over 90 per cent of the country’s surgical target.

He noted that while the country has also recorded substantial gains in mass drug administration, a small number of local government areas continue to experience persistent or recurring transmission, requiring intensified interventions.

According to him, the Federal Government is scaling up surveillance systems and WASH programmes to tackle the remaining burden of the disease and achieve Nigeria’s trachoma elimination targets.

Also speaking, Country Trachoma Coordinator for Sightsavers, Dr. Mshelia Teyil, identified insecurity and population displacement as major challenges slowing efforts to eliminate trachoma in the remaining endemic communities.

She stressed that reaching affected populations has become increasingly difficult in conflict-affected areas, underscoring the need for sustained collaboration between government, development partners and local communities.

Stakeholders at the event also highlighted the experience of the United Kingdom, where improved sanitation, hygiene and access to clean water played a critical role in eliminating trachoma.

They expressed optimism that Nigeria could achieve similar success through sustained implementation of the SAFE strategy Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement which is the globally recommended approach for trachoma elimination.

The learning event brought together government officials, development partners and public health experts to review progress, share lessons and strengthen strategies for ending trachoma as a public health problem in Nigeria.