Stakeholders brainstorm on accelerating elimination of NTDs in Nigeria

Critical stakeholders in the health sector have converged on Abuja for a one-day engagement programme to brainstorm on ways of eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in the country. The event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with CBM Global Nigeria. Speaking, Fatai Oyediran, National Coordinator, NTDs, said the […]

Critical stakeholders in the health sector have converged on Abuja for a one-day engagement programme to brainstorm on ways of eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in the country.

The event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with CBM Global Nigeria.

Speaking, Fatai Oyediran, National Coordinator, NTDs, said the event is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen integrated and person-centered approaches within NTD and Disability Inclusive programming aligned with the Nigerian NTD Masterplan, 2023-2027.

He said the event under the ‘Strengthening Access to People-centred Mental Healthcare for Persons with NTDs in Nigeria (mhCAP-NTDs)’ project is aimed at piloting a model of interventions to improve access to quality mental health services and support for people affected by Skin NTDs with priority on Lymphodema, Leprosy and Buruli ulcer

“The mhCAP-NTD project, funded by the Anesvad Foundation and implemented by a consortium involving the National Programmes of NTDs and Mental Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, CBM Global Disability Inclusion, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN), Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), RedAid Nigeria (RAN), International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement (IDEA) Nigeria, and the University of Jos; had implemented Anti stigma awareness campaign, promoting mental well-being through screening and management of mental health conditions at the Primary Healthcare Level, strengthening referral pathways, psycho-social support through peer support Groups and livelihood intervention for persons with morbidity and disability associated with NTDs in 5 LGAs across Kano, Cross river, Anambra states and the FCT,” he said.

According to him, the preliminary results from this pilot phase shows improvements in mental well being and quality of life of 456 beneficiaries.

“This project has also fostered the necessary collaboration among different programmes at the national level (NTDs, Mental health and TBLCP) needed for a sustainable and resilient response in the delivery of person-centered mental healthcare for people with NTDs,” he explained.

He added that, “There is need for more improvement in livelihood support to build a model of income generating scheme that is sustainable as we scale up the intervention, strengthened government coordination through constituting and operationalizing The Case Management NTD Technical Working Group, improve data reporting through the DHIS2, and invest more in capacity development of healthcare workers.”

Abdulazeez Musa, Country Director of CBM Global Disability Inclusion, said over 6,000 individuals had been reached under the project.

“On the project, we have been able to reach over 6,000 inviduals with mental health care services, livelihood opportunities, limb care treatments and anti-stigma campaigns.”

Adizue Chukwudozie, one of the beneficiaries from Anambra state, appreciated CBM Global Disability Inclusion for keeping him alive.

“CBM Global Disability Inclusion has gone a lot by keeping me alive, because my people thought I was going to die, but I’m still alive. I thank CBM Global Disability Inclusion for their efforts,” he said.