Advocacy Visit Meeting: Makinde’s Collaborative Step Towards Eliminating NTDs in Oyo State

On the 3rd of December, 2024, Kakanfo Inn became the epicenter of an inspiring call to action, as the Oyo State Ministry of Health, under the visionary leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, hosted a pivotal Advocacy Meeting. Under the astute leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, the meeting underscored the state’s commitment to combating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and was a critical follow-up to the high-level stakeholders’ assembly of Nigeria’s 36 Health Commissioners in Abuja.

The meeting, centered on mobilizing financial, community, and social support for NTD interventions, highlighted Oyo State’s inclusive and strategic approach to addressing the health challenge. Attendees included representatives from key ministries, local government leaders, health sector partners, and international organizations, all unified in the vision of a healthier Oyo State free of NTDs.

In her opening remarks, the Honourable Commissioner emphasized that NTDs had been strategically incorporated into the Ministry’s Annual Operational Plan and Budget under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) agenda. This alignment, she noted, reflects the government’s strategic foresight and commitment to an integrated and sustainable health system.

Dr. Ajetunmobi’s sentiments were echoed by the Director of Public Health, the Director of Health Planning Research and Statistics (DHPRS), and the Director of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS). The DPH lauded the Local Government Chairmen for their proactive participation in the recent Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) campaign using Ivermectin and Albendazole. “The sponsorship of radio jingles and additional recruitment of Community Drug Distributors (CDDs) by many LGA chairmen demonstrates true ownership and leadership,” the Director stated. In the same vein, the Directors of Environmental Health Services accross the 33 LGAs were specially appreciated for putting Oyo State first in their considerations.

Representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Information, Environment, Education, SUBEB, TESCOM, and RUWASSA presented updates on their contributions to the NTD control agenda. The Ministry of Environment, through the Director of Environment Health pledged support through Community-Led Total Sanitation initiatives to achieve an Open Defecation-Free Oyo State. RUWASSA’s General Manager highlighted the need to incorporate cultural considerations into future plans, while the Ministry of Education called for synchronization of school-based deworming programs with academic calendars.

The Chairman of Forum of Directors of Environmental Health Services in the 33 LGAs reinforced their readiness to partner with the Ministry of Health. “Environmental Health Officers are always available to ensure public health safety. We are partners in progress,” the Forum’s Chairman affirmed.

Key international partners such as WHO, UNICEF, CBM, and Evidence Action also lent their voices to the discourse, pledging their unwavering support to the state’s efforts. Dr. Hilary Adie, National NTD Coordinator for UNICEF, praised the Commissioner’s political will and acknowledged the Directorate of Public Health for fostering collaboration at all levels, particularly at the grassroots. He pledged continued UNICEF support for the Ministry’s initiatives. The UNICEF WASH Consultant also expressed gratitude for the robust collaboration between the Ministry and other sectors, affirming that their alignment with Federal Ministry of Health directives has been exemplary. The WHO State Coordinator echoed these sentiments, advocating for a robust Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program as a crucial component in eliminating NTDs. Evidence Action and CBM also praised the Ministry’s leadership and reiterated their commitment to supporting the state’s health agenda.
A key highlight of the meeting was the Federal Ministry of Health’s (FMoH) call for consistency in partner operations. The NTDs Director at the FMoH advised all partners to align their activities with the State Ministry of Health’s policies, emphasizing that all MoUs must be documented for accountability. “The existence of partners in the state hinges on the approval of the Ministry of Health. Coordination and adherence to state guidelines are non-negotiable,” he stated.

Additionally, one of the meeting’s most inspiring moments was the recognition of Oyo State as the only state in Nigeria to allocate ₦30 million—the highest amount—for NTD interventions. This commendable act of political will was lauded by the Program Manager for Lymphatic Filariasis at the FMoH, who described it as a testament to the state’s leadership in the health sector

The State NTDs Coordinator, Dr. Ebunoluwa Adeoye, provided a detailed presentation on Oyo State’s progress in NTD control, including the success of the recently concluded MAM campaign.
The ALGON Chairman and his representatives applauded the Ministry for involving local governments in program implementation, a key strategy for sustainability. They called for stronger collaboration to build on the gains achieved so far.

As the meeting concluded, it was clear that this gathering had reignited a shared determination to make Oyo State a beacon of progress in NTD elimination. The words of Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi resonated with every attendee: “When we unite across sectors, communities, and partners, we achieve the extraordinary. Together, we will build a healthier future for Oyo State.”
The story of the Advocacy Meeting at Kakanfo Inn is not just one of policies and strategies; it is a story of hope, unity, and an unwavering commitment to improving lives. Under the administration of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Oyo State is not just fighting NTDs—it is rewriting the narrative of health equity and sustainability.