The Federal Government, Gombe State Government, and the AMEN Health and Empowerment Foundation have convened a two-day stakeholders’ meeting to strategize on the implementation of Onchocerciasis Post-Treatment Surveillance (PTS) across the state.
The meeting, held in collaboration with the National Onchocerciasis Elimination Team, brought together government officials, public health experts, traditional rulers, and development partners to review progress made in combating the disease and define responsibilities for the forthcoming surveillance exercise.
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Representing the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Bille Nuhu highlighted the importance of sustaining gains achieved in the fight against neglected tropical diseases. He called for continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the surveillance programme and safeguard public health achievements.
Speaking during the meeting, Chukwuemeka Makata, Programme Manager of the National Onchocerciasis Elimination Programme, outlined the roles of key stakeholders in coordinating, supervising, and supporting surveillance activities aimed at confirming the interruption of disease transmission.
A major highlight of the meeting was the announcement by the Founder and President of the AMEN Health and Empowerment Foundation, Rita Aizehi Aimuiwu Oguntoyinbo, who revealed that extensive assessments and surveys conducted over several years have confirmed that transmission of onchocerciasis has been successfully interrupted in all endemic local government areas of Gombe State.
She described the development as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to eliminate the disease, commonly known as river blindness, and a testament to the commitment of government, communities, and development partners.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abdulrahman Shu’aibu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to eliminating neglected tropical diseases. He emphasized the crucial role of traditional institutions in mobilizing communities, creating awareness, and ensuring active participation in surveillance activities.
Participants at the meeting expressed optimism that the strategies and action plans agreed upon would help sustain the gains already recorded, prevent any resurgence of the disease, and protect future generations from the burden of onchocerciasis.
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The Post-Treatment Surveillance exercise is a critical step in the disease elimination process, providing evidence that transmission has remained interrupted and ensuring that communities remain free from infection after the cessation of treatment programmes.