Nigeria has the largest burden of schistosomiasis in the world with an estimated 29 million people affected by the disease and over 100 million people (especially women and children) still at risk of infection. Though there have been several efforts by government institutions and civil society organizations in the country to treat, control, and prevent the disease, these have not yet resulted in a marked decrease in the disease’s prevalence. Also, the interventions have been more focused in the northern and south-eastern regions of Nigeria, leaving the south-western region seemingly largely marginalized from such interventions. It is therefore of little surprise and of great concern that the south-western region has been confirmed to be a hyper-endemic zone for schistosomiasis and is the region with the highest prevalence of the disease in the country.
Stakeholders Meeting on Combating Schistosomiasis using the One Health Approach
Over the last few months, One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) has been conducting research to better understand the prevalence and risk factors associated with Schistosomiasis in Nigeria (using South-west Nigeria as a case study) with the sole aim of improving understanding of how to effectively deploy a One Health approach to combating the disease.
To finalize and discuss next level interventions, we invite all stakeholders and interested persons in public, private and civil society sectors to a ‘Stakeholders’ Meeting on Combating Schistosomiaisis Using the One Health approach”. This meeting will particularly feature a presentation of results on the “INTEGRATED ONE HEALTH RESEARCH ON SCHISTOSOMIAISIS IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA”, followed by a collaborative and participatory discourse on strategic One Health Interventions to combating Schistosomiasis.
The meeting will hold on Thursday 26th May 2022 at 10:00 AM (WAT).
We look forward to your attendance.
