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A family from Kogi State
Latest News
Elimination of River Blindness one state at a time!
Earlier this year Sightsavers announced our ambitious yet achievable ten year plan to eliminate river blindness across Africa. This included supporting drug distribution in three new countries we were not currently working in, and scaling up distribution in those we are.
It’s an exiting time for us as we push towards seeing an end to a blinding disease that has devastated the lives of millions, and we’re delighted to announce another encouraging milestone!
Sightsavers has co-authored a piece of research that shows the disease may already be eliminated in the Nigerian State of Kaduna, where we have been distributing the drug Mectizan® (in partnership with the Ministry of Health) since 1991. The study was supported by the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC), Sightsavers’ key partner in fighting river blindness (onchocerciasis).
Commenting on the findings, Simon Bush, Sightsavers’ Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases and one of the authors of the research said: “River blindness needlessly devastates the lives of individuals, families and whole communities, which is why the research findings are significant not just for those living in Kaduna, but for those at risk across Africa. This move to elimination will be followed in many Sightsavers-supported projects.”
Other news:
The improved participation of policy and decision makers in eye health planning as part of the wider health system is raising the profile of eye care.
An inclusive education evaluation took place. The main recommendation was to increase the role of special schools in the training of itinerant teachers and blind children.
A major success has been our engagement with partners in expanding support to neglected tropical disease (NTD) control in Zamfara State.
Achievements
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