The Kogi Government says it will reach over 240,000 children from five years to 14 years in 39 wards across 15 Local Government Areas of the state, in the 2026 Schistosomiasis Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) exercise.
The campaign is scheduled for June 22 and June 30.
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny flatworms called Schistosoma — commonly known as “bilharzia”. The parasitic worms live in freshwater snails.
The target was unveiled at a two-day state-level planning meeting, convened on Thursday by the Ministry of Health, Department of Public Health – Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs), Control Programme in collaboration with Sightsavers.
The meeting aimed to develop strategies for the 2026 treatment targets, validate drug quantification, strengthen micro-planning, and finalise the implementation timeline for schistosomiasis.
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdullazeez Adams, said schistosomiasis remained a public health challenge in Kogi, affecting school-age children, farmers, fishermen, and communities near freshwater bodies.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Mr Maji Enoch, the commissioner noted that the disease reduced school attendance, affected productivity, and impacted health outcomes.
He said the meeting would review performance from previous rounds, strengthen social mobilisation and training of teachers and Community Drug Distributors (CDDs,) and focus on data quality, equity, and beneficiary safety.
He commended Sightsavers and the Federal Ministry of Health for technical and financial support, and urged local government areas to maintain strong collaboration “to reach the last child in the last community.”
The National Programme Manager, Dr Jacob Solomon of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), said Nigeria is working toward WHO’s 2030 elimination target for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis.
He described Kogi’s progress since baseline mapping as “significant” and urged participants to remain diligent to reach the “last mile.”
Solomon confirmed that the programme targeted all children from five years to 14 years, whether in school or out of school.
The State NTD Coordinator, Mr Musa Momohjimoh, said the intervention will use Praziquantel in 39 wards identified as endemic from a 2015 survey and revised WHO strategy.
According to him, teachers will administer drugs in schools while health workers will supervise, and CDDs will reach out-of-school children. He said radio jingles and engagement of religious and community leaders will drive awareness.
Sightsavers Programme Officer, Mrs Phoebe Hindan, said the treatment would cover only wards with demonstrated need, based on evidence. She described Praziquantel as safe and effective, used in Kogi for over 10 years, and urged parents to allow children/wards to participate.
She noted that misconceptions have caused refusals in the past, warning that untreated schistosomiasis could lead to other complications in the future. The government said the campaign would cover public, private schools and out-of-school children, with parents directed to contact the state ministry of health for enquiries.
Mr Salihu Usman, a participant and former education secretary of Kogi local government area A, assured the government of participants’ commitment to a result-oriented exercise that would deliver on its goals and objectives.
