Abuja: The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the 2026 Schistosomiasis Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) campaign across the territory. The Director of Public Health, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Teresa Nwachukwu, emphasized the need for this cooperation during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Nwachukwu, represented by the Head of the Disease Control Division, Dr. Ngozi Ebisike, highlighted schistosomiasis as a significant public health challenge, particularly among school-aged children and other vulnerable groups. The disease adversely affects the health, education, and productivity of impacted communities, underscoring the necessity for sustained intervention.
Dr. Nwachukwu stated that the upcoming MAM campaign is a pivotal intervention aimed at reducing schistosomiasis’ burden and protecting children’s and communitie
s’ health. The meeting was convened to strengthen partnerships, share information, and mobilize support for the campaign, which will be implemented across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
She expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by representatives of the Area Councils, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, education stakeholders, and the media towards public health programs. The involvement of these stakeholders is crucial for community mobilization, advocacy, and dissemination of accurate information, which are vital to achieving high treatment coverage.
Dr. Ebisike emphasized the importance of ensuring that every eligible child benefits from the intervention, highlighting that collective action is essential for eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health issue in the FCT. Participants were encouraged to actively contribute to discussions and share ideas to enhance the campaign’s success.
Mr. Achai Ijah, Programme Officer and FCT State Lead of the Health and Development S
upport Programme (HANDS), also addressed the gathering, stating that the organization is supporting the implementation of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) interventions in the territory. The 2026 Schistosomiasis MAM campaign will target children aged five to 14 years in schools and communities throughout the FCT, aiming to reduce schistosomiasis’ burden and improve health outcomes for school-aged children.
Ijah explained that the engagement aims to secure the support and cooperation of critical stakeholders for the program’s successful implementation. The involvement of community leaders, religious leaders, ward development committee chairmen, persons with disabilities, education stakeholders, and NTD coordinators is sought to ensure inclusive participation in the campaign.
He stressed the crucial role of stakeholders in creating awareness and fostering acceptance of the intervention at the community level. A recent planning meeting laid the groundwork for effective program implementation, and this engagem
ent seeks to inform stakeholders of the plans and secure their support, as the intervention’s success largely depends on their cooperation.
Ijah added that residents are more likely to embrace health interventions when trusted community, religious, and political leaders deliver messages. Strong collaboration with these stakeholders is needed because their endorsement will encourage greater participation and help achieve the desired coverage.
The meeting convened officials from RUWASSA, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), education authorities, and community leaders.