Stakeholders urge scale-up of mental health support for persons affected by NTDs
Stakeholders have called for the integration and scale-up of mental health services for persons affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria, stressing that medical care alone is not enough to address the challenges faced by affected communities. They spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the close-out ceremony of the CBM Global Disability Inclusion project […]
Stakeholders have called for the integration and scale-up of mental health services for persons affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria, stressing that medical care alone is not enough to address the challenges faced by affected communities.
They spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the close-out ceremony of the CBM Global Disability Inclusion project titled “Strengthening Access to People-centred Mental Healthcare for Persons Affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.”
CBM Global Disability Inclusion Country Director, Abdulaziz Musa, said the project had demonstrated that a holistic approach was needed to improve the lives of people with NTDs.
“Traditionally, interventions have focused only on medical care, without considering the psychosocial and socioeconomic well-being of those affected,” Musa said.
“Through this project, we have shown that medical care alone is not enough. What is truly needed is a person-centered, holistic approach—one that addresses health, morbidity management, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support.”
He noted that the pilot, implemented in Kano, FCT, Anambra, and Cross River states, had reduced stigma, improved access to care, and empowered communities. Musa added that the project’s model had been integrated into the National NTD Master Plan, but called for greater commitment from government and development partners to scale up.
Chief Executive Officer of RedAid Nigeria, Dr. Daniel Obule, described the intervention as “truly innovative,” stressing that integrating mental health into NTD care restored dignity and provided socioeconomic opportunities.
“Mental health has long been overlooked as a key component of holistic healthcare, particularly for persons affected by NTDs,” Obule said. “This intervention has helped improve well-being, restore dignity, and create opportunities for reintegration into society. We are using this innovation to revolutionize NTD care in Nigeria.”
He urged Nigerians to end stigma and discrimination against persons with NTDs, noting that conditions such as leprosy and Buruli ulcer were treatable and survivable.
“People affected by them deserve love, care, and support—not rejection,” he said.
“Free diagnosis and treatment are available. Support groups can also help strengthen dignity and belonging.”
From the Federal Ministry of Health, the Project Focal Person for Mental Health and NTDs, Oluwole Afolanyo, said the pilot had provided “strong evidence” that affected persons benefit significantly from psychosocial and livelihood support in addition to medical care.
“What we have seen over the last 18 months provides strong evidence that persons affected by NTDs benefit greatly from mental health care. But equally important is livelihood support, since poverty is both a cause and a consequence of NTDs,” Afolanyo said.
He listed four key interventions of the project as anti-stigma campaigns, mental health screening and care, livelihood support, and holistic well-being. He added that there were plans to scale up nationwide by 2027 under the NTD Master Plan.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mrs. Mfawa Usani, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, commended the initiative.
“On behalf of the Ministry, I commend the organizers, implementing and development partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians affected by NTDs,” she said.
“We recognize the MH-cap-NTDs project as a timely and innovative intervention that speaks directly to the needs of vulnerable populations.”