Kaduna State Achieves Historic Milestone: Eliminates Blinding Eye Disease Trachoma
In a significant public health achievement, Kaduna State announced Monday the successful elimination of trachoma, a devastating bacterial eye infection that has historically been a leading cause of preventable blindness in Nigeria.
The state government, working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Sightsavers, implemented a comprehensive intervention program across all 23 local government areas to combat this neglected tropical disease.
During the close-out ceremony of the Trachoma Trichinosis Intervention, Aisha Abubakar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, highlighted the success of their multi-faceted approach. The program utilized the SAFE strategy – Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement – to effectively combat the disease.
The initiative’s impact was substantial, with 558,761 residents in Igabi Local Government Area receiving antibiotic treatment. Additionally, 683 individuals across 11 endemic Local Government Areas underwent corrective eye surgeries, demonstrating the program’s comprehensive reach.
Teyil Wamyil-Mshelia, Sightsavers’ Country Coordinator for Trachoma, emphasized that the state has met all World Health Organization (WHO) requirements, confirming that trachoma no longer poses a public health threat in the region. The success was attributed to extensive awareness campaigns, strengthening local healthcare capacity, and fostering community engagement.
Looking ahead, Wamyil-Mshelia urged the state government, led by Governor Uba Sani, to maintain support during the post-elimination phase. She specifically called for continued funding to ensure treatment centers remain operational and well-equipped, recommending free or subsidized services for rural and economically disadvantaged communities who are most affected by the disease.
This achievement marks a crucial step forward in Nigeria’s fight against preventable blindness, setting a precedent for other states battling similar public health challenges.
