Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, says the state government has included preventive measures against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth, into its school health programme.

Mr Baamlong disclosed this on Friday in Jos, the state capital, during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.

According to him, the government is implementing measures such as integrating preventive chemotherapy into its school health programme and strengthening its disease surveillance and reporting system.

The commissioner said 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.

Mr Baamlong announced that Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang approved the procurement of anti-snake venom for the treatment of snakebite.

The commissioner, however, said that sustaining the achievements requires 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-sector collaboration, particularly with WASH and the education sector.

Mr Baamlong said NTDs mainly affect persons with limited access to potable water, sanitation, hygiene and basic health services.

He commended its partners, including the Carter Centre Nigeria, the World Health Organisation, and the Health Development Support Programme (HANDS), for their support in eliminating NTDs in the state.

The 2026 theme for the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs towards achievement of Universal Health Care and SDGs.”

(NAN)