Jos, Jan. 30, 2026 (NAN) Dr Nicholas Baamlong, Plateau Commissioner for Health, says the state government has included preventative measures against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth into its school health programme.
Baamlong made the disclosure on Friday in Jos, when he briefed the press to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
According to him, the government was implementing measures such as integrating preventive chemotherapy into its school health programme and strengthening its disease surveillance and reporting system.
The commissioner further said that the government has also built the capacity of its frontline health workers and aligned with school health and Water, Sanitation And Hygiene (WASH) programmes as a means of preventing the diseases:
He added that the inclusion marked a significant milestone in domestic ownership and sustainability of NTD programmes in the state.
Baamlong announced that Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang approved the procurement of anti-snake venom for the treatment of snakebite.
The commissioner, however, said that sustenance of the achievements calls for continuous financing for preventive chemotherapy, logistics and investment in surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems.
He called for social behavioural change communication and the strengthening of cross-sectional collaboration, particularly with WASH and the education sector.
Baamlong said NTDs mainly affect persons with limited access to potable water, sanitation, hygiene and basic health services.
He commended its partners, such as the Carter Center Nigeria, the World Health Organisation, and the Health Development Support Programme (HANDS), for their support in the elimination of NTDs in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2026 theme for the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs towards achievement of Universal Health Care and SDGs” (NAN)
