Benue govt earmarks N700mn to tackle neglected tropical diseases

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The Benue State government has allocated ₦700 million to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) within the state.

The funds will be directed toward addressing diseases such as Onchocerciasis (also known as River Blindness), which affects residents across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs); Lymphatic Filariasis (commonly referred to as Elephantiasis), present in 16 LGAs; intestinal worms, found in 18 LGAs; and Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis), prevalent in 22 LGAs.

In addition to the financial allocation, the state has recently installed motorized boreholes and constructed VIP toilets in schools and public locations across 22 LGAs. These efforts are part of broader initiatives aimed at reducing the spread of NTDs in Benue.

These developments were highlighted during the 2025 Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis two-day Annual Review and Planning session, organized by Sightsavers in partnership with the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services. The event, held in Makurdi, focused on mapping out strategies to eliminate NTDs in the state by 2030.

During the opening session, Mathew Nyamve, the NTDs focal officer for the Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BEWASA), disclosed that the agency is actively involved in various projects aimed at curbing and eventually eradicating these diseases.

He stated that WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) plays a crucial role in eliminating NTDs, which is why the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, approved the disbursement of ₦700 million to BEWASA. The funding will support three specific initiatives implemented in collaboration with UNICEF, the P-WASH program, and Self Help Africa.

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