Sightsavers, Neglected tropical disease control in Kogi state, Nigeria
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of infections affecting more than a billion of the world’s poorest people. Though theoretically preventable with simple oral treatments taken once or twice a year, NTDs – most prevalent in remote rural areas, urban slums and conflict zones – continue to cause excruciating pain, disfigurement and chronic disability. In Kogi state, situated in the centre of Nigeria (the country with the highest number of people living with NTDs in Africa), Sightsavers is working to address four prevalent and devastating NTDs: river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Through an extensive network of volunteer community drug distributors, the organisation aims to stop the spread of infection by ensuring everyone receives treatment, building healthy communities within Kogi state, where children no longer struggle with the health risks faced by their parents and grandparents.
Sightsavers International is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to combating avoidable blindness in developing countries. Their programme in Nigeria, where over 5 million people are blind, or visually impaired, is crucial to the wellbeing of tens of thousands of families.
Grants given:
2006-2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
