Kogi Targets 556,000 Children for Deworming as State Begins Planning for 2026 NTD Drug Distribution

By Rotimi Odofin

The Kogi State Ministry of Health has commenced preparations for the 2026 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) campaign against Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) and Onchocerciasis, with a target of deworming no fewer than 556,000 children across 10 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the State-Level Planning Meeting for the campaign in Lokoja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Enoch Maji said the exercise was the second mass drug administration planning meeting to be held in the state this year, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

Maji described NTDs as a major public health concern affecting school-age children and farming communities, noting that poor hygiene practices, including the consumption of unwashed fruits, contribute significantly to the spread of the diseases. He explained that the infections reduce school attendance, diminish productivity, and adversely affect the overall health and well-being of affected communities.

According to him, the planning meeting was convened to review the performance, coverage and challenges recorded during the previous campaign, validate target populations and drug requirements, strengthen micro-planning, social mobilization and the activities of Community Drug Distributors (CDDs), as well as finalize the implementation timeline and supervision strategy for the forthcoming exercise.

The Permanent Secretary commended development partner Sightsavers and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development for their sustained technical and financial support towards the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Kogi State.

He also applauded the commitment of the local government councils, stressing that effective collaboration between the state and LGAs remains critical to reaching vulnerable populations in the most remote communities.

Maji urged stakeholders to prioritize data quality, equitable distribution of medicines, beneficiary safety, and intensified community sensitization to improve public understanding and acceptance of the program.

He expressed confidence that the meeting would produce a practical, cost-effective, and implementable action plan capable of delivering high treatment coverage and accelerating the state’s efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Also speaking, the Program Officer for Neglected Tropical Diseases in Kogi State, Momohjimoh Azimazi, disclosed that the 2026 Mass Administration of Medicines campaignSoil-Transmitted Helminths would hold from July 15 to July 30, 2026.

Azimazi said a total of 556,000 children would receive Albendazole tablets during the exercise.

He explained that the deworming campaign would be implemented in Kogi, Lokoja, Mopa-Muro, Ijumu, Okehi, Ajaokuta, Ogori-Magongo, Olamaboro and Omala Local Government Areas, as part of the state’s coordinated strategy to reduce the burden of Soil-Transmitted Helminths among children.

He reiterated that the success of the campaign would depend on effective planning, strong community mobilization, and the collective commitment of all stakeholders to ensure that every eligible child receives the life-saving medication.