The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the control, elimination and eventual eradication of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), describing the fight against the diseases as a critical component of its public health and social development agenda.
This assurance was given on Thursday, January 30, 2026, by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, held at the Ministry of Health Conference Centre, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ajetunmobi noted that the briefing was not only to mark the global observance but also to review progress made, highlight achievements and renew commitment towards addressing NTDs, which she described as persistent drivers of health inequities worldwide.
She explained that Neglected Tropical Diseases disproportionately affect people living in poverty, especially those in rural and peri-urban communities with limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare services. According to her, an estimated one billion people globally are affected by one or more NTDs, while over 1.4 billion people require preventive chemotherapy, intensified disease management or vector control interventions.
Dr. Ajetunmobi expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded in Oyo State between 2025 and 2026, noting measurable achievements across prevention, morbidity management, surveillance and community engagement. She disclosed that as part of the 2026 World NTD Day activities, sensitisation and advocacy campaigns were ongoing across all 33 local government areas, including community outreaches at strategic locations such as Oje Market, where residents were educated on symptom recognition, prevention and timely treatment.
In the area of morbidity management and disability prevention, the commissioner revealed that 77 persons affected by lymphatic filariasis-related elephantiasis received care across multiple LGAs, while 95 hydrocelectomy surgeries were conducted at Jericho Nursing Home and General Hospital, Moniya. She noted that 58 of the surgeries were fully funded by the Oyo State Government, significantly improving the quality of life and productivity of beneficiaries.
Dr. Ajetunmobi also highlighted the State’s efforts in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), noting that over 1,000 communities in Ibarapa East, Ona-Ara and Egbeda LGAs were monitored through the Community-Led Total Sanitation Plus (CLTS++) approach, contributing to improved sanitation practices and reduced open defecation.
She attributed the achievements to the strong political will of Governor Seyi Makinde, describing health as one of the cardinal pillars of his administration. She announced that the governor had approved the distribution of eight motorcycles to Local Government NTD Coordinators, particularly in LGAs with low coverage during the 2024 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM), to improve field mobility and last-mile service delivery.
The commissioner commended local government chairmen across the 33 LGAs for their support during the 2024 MAM exercise for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, as well as religious leaders, Ward Development Committees and community stakeholders for building trust and improving programme acceptance at the grassroots.
She also acknowledged the Federal Ministry of Health for its leadership and coordination, as well as development partners including Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM) International, Evidence Action, the World Health Organization and UNICEF for their financial, technical and capacity-building support.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, described NTDs as diseases that have continued to ravage communities, reduce productivity, increase school absenteeism and negatively impact economic growth. He stressed that combating NTDs requires collective action, noting that Oyo State’s success so far was due to strong collaboration among government ministries, agencies, community leaders, civil society organisations and development partners.
The State NTD Coordinator, Dr. Ebunoluwa Adeoye, disclosed that Oyo State had recorded a major milestone with eight out of ten endemic LGAs for lymphatic filariasis successfully passing post-treatment surveys after five consecutive rounds of treatment, earning federal-level recognition. She emphasized that all NTD-related surgeries and treatments in the state were provided free of charge, in line with the 2026 theme, “Unite. Act. Eliminate.”
Dr. Adeoye called for increased support for research, innovation and funding, urging philanthropists and partners to contribute towards reaching underserved communities. She also encouraged individuals experiencing symptoms such as hydrocele to come forward for free treatment.
Also speaking, the UNICEF representative, Dr. Emmanuel Orimoloye, reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting Oyo State in the fight against NTDs, particularly through the provision of preventive medicines for river blindness and lymphatic filariasis. He expressed optimism that with stronger collaboration among government, partners and non-governmental organisations, the state would expand mass drug administration and accelerate elimination efforts in 2026.
The event concluded with a call on all stakeholders, including government institutions, development partners, the media, community leaders and citizens, to remain united and proactive in ensuring that no resident of Oyo State suffers from preventable and treatable neglected tropical diseases.
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