Niger’s Minister of Public Health, Population, and Social Affairs, Garba Hakimi, declared on Thursday that the country has successfully eradicated onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness.
This achievement makes Niger the first African nation and the fifth globally to eliminate the disease, which has long plagued communities living near waterways.
The announcement was made during a formal ceremony, where the World Health Organization (WHO) also congratulated Niger for meeting the stringent criteria required to certify the elimination of onchocerciasis.
Niger now joins four countries in the Americas—Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Mexico (2015), and Guatemala (2016)—in halting the transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus, which causes the disease.
Hakimi highlighted the relentless efforts over the past 15 years that provided the scientific evidence needed to confirm the disease’s elimination. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our health workers, communities, and partners,” he said.
Casimir Manengu, the WHO’s resident representative in Niger, praised the country’s commitment and leadership in achieving this remarkable feat. “Niger’s success in eliminating onchocerciasis is a shining example of what can be accomplished through sustained effort and collaboration,” he stated.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also commended Niger, emphasizing the significance of the achievement. “I congratulate Niger on its dedication to freeing its population from this blinding and stigmatizing disease, which causes immense suffering among the poorest communities,” he said. “This success stands as further evidence of the significant progress we have made in the fight against neglected tropical diseases. By demonstrating that elimination is possible, it offers hope to other countries still battling onchocerciasis today.”
Onchocerciasis, transmitted through the bites of infected blackflies, can cause severe skin conditions, visual impairment, and permanent blindness. Its elimination in Niger marks the second time the country has successfully eradicated a neglected tropical disease, following the certification of dracunculiasis (guinea worm disease) elimination in 2013.
This achievement underscores Niger’s commitment to improving public health and serves as an inspiration for other nations striving to combat neglected tropical diseases. The success also highlights the importance of international collaboration and sustained investment in health systems to achieve global health goals.
As Niger celebrates this public health victory, the focus now shifts to maintaining vigilance to prevent the re-emergence of the disease and continuing efforts to address other health challenges facing the nation.
GNA