Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health, Isiaq Salako, has identified neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.
Speaking at a high-level advocacy meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, Salako emphasized the critical need to address NTDs, which continue to affect millions of Nigerians, despite the country’s efforts to combat them.
NTDs, which include diseases such as elephantiasis, river blindness, snail fever, and intestinal worms, contribute significantly to physical suffering, social stigma, and economic hardship.
Salako noted that these diseases perpetuate a vicious cycle of poverty, making it imperative for the government to prioritize their elimination.
Salako further explained that Nigeria’s public health system faces several challenges, including a population of over 220 million people and limited resources.
“With scarce budgets, infrastructure, and personnel, it becomes crucial to maximize the impact of every resource available,” he said.
He stressed that integrating public health efforts across sectors is key to optimizing resources and achieving better health outcomes.
The minister acknowledged the progress made through treatment campaigns, preventive interventions, and partnerships in recent years.
However, he cautioned that NTDs remain a persistent threat to the nation’s public health and social stability.
He called for continued efforts to tackle these diseases and ensure that no one is left behind in Nigeria’s public health improvement efforts.
In addition to NTDs, Salako highlighted other critical public health challenges, including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and mental health issues.
He underscored the interconnected nature of these health problems and called for a multi-dimensional approach that involves all levels of government, partners, and communities to address them effectively.