The Nigerien government has taken a significant step in its fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by hosting a national workshop in Dosso. On November 5, 2026, Colonel-major Bana Alhassane, Governor of the Dosso Region, presided over the opening ceremony of the workshop. The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, the Ministry of National Education, coordinators of NTD control programs, representatives of technical and financial partners, and several stakeholders involved in the implementation of the campaign.
NTDs are a group of diseases that primarily affect the most vulnerable populations in tropical areas. The Nigerien government has identified 14 of these diseases, including bilharzia, intestinal worms, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, leprosy, and scabies. According to Governor Alhassane, the 2026 mass treatment campaign focused on controlling bilharzia in areas with a prevalence of at least 50%. The campaign was conducted in two phases in 33 health districts across six regions, targeting 1.999 million children aged 5-14 living in endemic villages.
The workshop aims to examine the results recorded in the different regions, identify shortcomings, assess coverage rates, capitalize on best practices, and formulate recommendations to improve future campaigns. Governor Alhassane expressed his gratitude to technical and financial partners for their support in the fight against NTDs. He also commended the actors in the health and education sectors, administrative, customary, and religious authorities, as well as community distributors, for their contribution to the success of the operation.
Dr. Niandou Issa, National Coordinator of the National Program for the Control of Bilharzia and Geohelminthiasis (PNLBG), recalled that a training session and planning for the mass distribution campaign against NTDs were held in Dosso in February 2026. The program covered 33 health districts across six regions, except for Niamey and Agadez. Dr. Issa explained that the campaign's implementation was evaluated at the level of health districts, which then presented their results at the regional level.
The workshop provides an opportunity for regions to present their results and evaluate the effectiveness of the mass treatment campaign. According to Dr. Issa, the meeting will enable stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance future campaigns. The Nigerien government's efforts to control NTDs have been ongoing, with the goal of reducing the burden of these diseases on the country's most vulnerable populations.
The mass treatment campaign is part of a broader strategy to combat NTDs in Niger. The government has been working to strengthen its health systems and improve access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas. The campaign's success is a testament to the country's commitment to addressing the health needs of its population. The workshop in Dosso will help to build on this success and inform future efforts to control NTDs.
The national workshop in Dosso is a critical step in Niger's fight against NTDs. By bringing together stakeholders and evaluating the results of the mass treatment campaign, the government can refine its approach and make progress towards controlling these diseases. With the support of technical and financial partners, Niger is making strides in addressing the health needs of its population and improving the overall well-being of its citizens.
Key points
- The Nigerien government has launched a national workshop to evaluate the 2026 mass treatment campaign against neglected tropical diseases, which targeted 1.999 million children.
