A public health expert and Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Health, Dr Ngozi Azodoh, has said the Federal Government’s failure to prioritise the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has contributed significantly to their growing burden in Nigeria.
Azodoh described NTDs as a major public health and socio-economic challenge that thrives in conditions of poverty, poor sanitation, ignorance and underdevelopment, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Common NTDs in the region, she said, include guinea worm disease, river blindness, leprosy, Buruli ulcer and hydrocele.
She spoke on Friday at the Abia State University auditorium, Uturu, while delivering a lecture to mark this year’s World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, themed Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs. The event was hosted by the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, South-East zone, in conjunction with Healthwise Community Initiative.
According to her, eliminating NTDs requires a total system response, stressing that authorities must adopt a new mindset and orientation towards public health interventions.
Azodoh said the theme of the commemoration underscored the need to sustain the fight against NTDs, noting that beyond what she described as federal government “lip service”, committed, concerted and consistent action is required to eliminate the diseases.
She acknowledged that many NTDs are easily treatable if detected early, but emphasised the need for collaboration and unity of purpose among government, faith-based institutions, development partners, communities and individuals.
The health expert criticised inadequate government funding, noting that most interventions aimed at eradicating NTDs in Nigeria have been driven largely by donor agencies such as the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, with limited financial commitment from government.
She further lamented that more than 100 million Nigerians – about two out of every three people – are either infected with or at risk of contracting NTDs, attributing the situation to lack of access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation, poverty and weak health-seeking behaviour.
Azodoh identified the South-East as a high-risk zone due to poor living conditions, questioning the limited contribution of wealthy individuals in the region to complement the efforts of donor agencies.
Describing NTDs as both a governance and development challenge, she argued that their elimination requires sustained public financing and coordinated multi-sectoral action across health, education, water, sanitation and social protection systems.
While highlighting the importance of political leadership, she said Abia State has recorded progress under Governor Alex Otti through investments in primary health centres, enabling people affected by NTDs to access treatment within their communities.
Representing the governor at the event, Azodoh urged the Federal Government to prioritise NTDs, stressing that leadership, education and access to health facilities are critical to addressing the threat posed by the diseases. She also advised students to remain focused on their studies.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Prof Ndukwe Okeudo, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof Roseline Ndimele, said the theme of this year’s commemoration was timely as it drew attention to diseases that continue to affect vulnerable populations.
He said defeating NTDs requires unity of purpose, deliberate action and sustained commitment from governments, institutions, health professionals and communities.
The Vice Chancellor noted that NTDs remain a major public health challenge in developing countries due to poverty, poor sanitation, limited access to clean water and inadequate healthcare services, adding that the diseases have historically received less attention and fewer resources than required.
He described the gathering as an opportunity to change the narrative through knowledge, collaboration and decisive action, while commending the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria and Healthwise Community Initiative for their advocacy.
He added that universities play a critical role in solving societal challenges through research, innovation and community service, and urged students and young researchers to develop new ideas, partnerships and outreach initiatives.
In their separate remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Chris Timothy, and the Head of the Department of Public Health, Dr O. C. Okankmba, thanked the organisers for choosing the university for the advocacy, describing NTDs as threats that must be confronted collectively.
Also speaking, the South-East Coordinator of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, Prof Nkeiruka Orji, said NTDs are treatable and preventable, urging increased investment in health education and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
The Local Organising Chairman, Dr Victor Obisike, alongside Esther Udeme of Healthwise Community Initiative, described the event as impactful and called for greater public participation in the fight against NTDs. They also appreciated the wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs Priscilla Otti, and the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Engr Christopher Okoro, for their support.
The event featured panel discussions, drama and quiz competitions, with participants, including students, pledging to support efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases.