Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with global health organisation, Sightsavers, has launched a large-scale distribution of Ivermectin drugs aimed at combating river blindness in the state.
State Director of Public Health, Abubakar Idris, announced that the campaign will target over two million people across six local government areas, each grappling with active cases of river blindness.
River blindness has taken hold in six Local Government Areas of Kaduna State including Kachia, Kagarko, Kauru, Lere, Kaduna South, and Makarfi, where active cases continue to pose a significant health threat.
According to a 2022 baseline survey, Makarfi is now considered endemic with this disease, and many residents remain unaware of the silent threat they are facing.
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In response, Kaduna State Government and Sightsavers have rolled out a mass drug distribution initiative to reach vulnerable communities in Makarfi with Ivermectin, a crucial drug that targets the parasite responsible for River Blindness.
This campaign is projected to be a game-changer in reducing infection rates and potentially eradicating the disease across Kaduna State.
With Makarfi now in the spotlight, the stakes have never been higher. For health officials and community workers alike, this is not just a distribution effort; it is a determined push towards a future where River Blindness is not only controlled but eliminated in the state.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
