The Carter Center Integrated Health Programmes, Nigeria
The Carter Center is a non-governmental organisation founded by former US President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The Center is committed to improving health and alleviating human suffering, including through the elimination or control of neglected tropical diseases. The A. G. Leventis Foundation’s grant for the Integrated Health Programmes in Nigeria project supports the Center’s efforts to eliminate or control river blindness (onchocerciasis), schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis (LF), trachoma and malaria in Nigeria, in conjunction with significant drug donations from pharmaceutical companies. Over six million Nigerians receive Mectizan treatments annually as part of the Carter Center-assisted efforts to eliminate river blindness. Where necessary, an integrated approach involves the concurrent distribution of albendazole for LF and praziquantel for schistosomiasis. The Center has facilitated the distribution of over 7.6 million long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets since 2010 in Nigeria to curb transmission of malaria and LF.
