SightSavers Performs 60,000 Eye Surgery, Distributes 29m Antibiotic Doses

International non-governmental organisation, SightSavers Nigeria, has performed more than 60,000 Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) surgeries across 195 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and distributed nearly 29 million doses of azithromycin in trachoma-endemic communities as part of efforts to eliminate trachoma in the country.

The Country Trachoma Coordinator of SightSavers Nigeria, Mrs Teyil Wamyil-Mshelia, disclosed this during the Accelerate Trachoma Elimination Programme Learning Event organised by the organisation in Abuja.

According to her, the Accelerate Trachoma Elimination Programme, launched in 2018, has recorded significant progress in Nigeria’s fight against trachoma through the implementation of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) SAFE strategy, which focuses on Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement.

Wamyil-Mshelia said the programme has contributed substantially to reducing the burden of trachoma across endemic communities by conducting large-scale TT surgeries, administering mass drug administration (MDA), and integrating interventions for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

She revealed that, in addition to the surgeries and drug distribution, SightSavers has trained 25 trachoma surgeons and more than 50,000 community case finders, conducted 174 trachoma surveys, and strengthened digital tracking systems, hygiene promotion campaigns, and behaviour change interventions.

The coordinator further explained that the organisation introduced a digital application that tracks TT patients from the point of surgery through follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months after treatment, helping improve patient monitoring and outcomes.

She noted that the interventions have played a critical role in sustaining Nigeria’s progress toward eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.

The learning event brought together government officials, development partners, trachoma experts, and other stakeholders to assess progress made under the programme, share lessons learned, and strengthen commitments towards achieving nationwide elimination of the disease.

Speaking at the event, the Director and Programme Manager of the National Trachoma Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr Nicholas Olobio, said Nigeria has achieved about 85 per cent progress towards eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, with only 11 LGAs yet to attain elimination status.

Olobio disclosed that mass drug administration had been stopped in 116 out of the 134 trachoma-endemic LGAs after they met the required elimination threshold, representing approximately 87 per cent progress.

He added that the ministry had intensified surveillance efforts in areas where transmission persists to prevent a resurgence of the disease.

According to him, Nigeria has performed more than 100,000 TT surgeries out of an estimated target of 150,000, representing nearly 90 per cent of the national target.

He explained that health officials now collect conjunctival swab samples alongside routine impact surveys to determine whether active infections remain in communities where transmission continues.

“We have also strengthened disease surveillance to ensure trachoma does not return in areas that have achieved elimination. Water, sanitation and hygiene are equally critical because medicines alone cannot eliminate trachoma. Communities must have access to clean water, use sanitary toilets and maintain good hygiene to interrupt transmission,” Olobio said.

He stressed that improved environmental sanitation remains a key component of Nigeria’s elimination strategy and has been instrumental in successful trachoma elimination efforts in other parts of the world.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Trachoma Task Force (NTTF) and Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Adamu Mohammed, identified insecurity in Borno State as the major challenge hindering the country’s final push towards complete elimination of the disease.

Mohammed noted that seven of the remaining 11 LGAs yet to achieve elimination are located in Borno State, where insecurity has made access to affected communities difficult.

“Most of the LGAs yet to achieve elimination are difficult to access because of insecurity. Our partners have done tremendously well, but insecurity continues to limit access to affected communities. There is only so much partners can do without adequate security,” he said.

He added that the National Trachoma Task Force is responsible for developing and implementing national guidelines for trachoma elimination in line with international best practices and standards.

Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, improving surveillance systems, and expanding access to essential eye care services to ensure Nigeria achieves the complete elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.