The meeting, which was held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City from Monday, May 25, to Tuesday, 26 2026, was organized to strengthen the state’s response to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), especially Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia, appreciated the Edo State Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, for creating an enabling environment for collaboration with development partners. He urged participants to pay close attention and plan effectively for the current year’s mass administration of medicines. “We need to focus and work as a team to control and eliminate schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in our communities,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Efeomon Eseigbe, commended partners, including the Carter Center and the ENDFUND, for their support in controlling NTDs in Edo State.
Dr. Eseigbe appealed to stakeholders to utilize their influence at every level to support the schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths program, create awareness, and ensure that affected communities receive treatment. He added that residents must also be educated on practices that can reduce their exposure to schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths.
Speaking further, the Program Manager of the Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW), Dr. Jacob Solomon stated that the treatment had been ongoing in Edo State since 2013 under a triple drug administration approach, which involved the use of Praziquantel, Ivermectin, and Albendazole. He explained that although the Carter Center used to support Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminths, it was not their focus, and presently with the Carter Center withdrawing the support for Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminths, the ENDFUND had now come on board to support the Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths component.
According to him, Edo State is the first state to benefit from the support.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Mr. Jerry Osawe Lawani expressed happiness that Edo State had been chosen as a pilot state for the ENDFUND-supported Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths programme. He urged participants to take the training seriously so that Edo State can become a model for other states to follow.
The meeting also featured lectures, presentations, group discussions, and planning sessions aimed at improving implementation at all levels.
As part of the technical sessions, the State Neglected Tropical Disease Coordinator, Mrs. Happy Poko presented an update on Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths treatment coverage in the state as well as the harmonized state micro plan. In addition Mr Samuel, a representative from the South-South Zone of the FMoH&SW delivered a lecture on the roles and responsibilities of trainers and supervisors.
At the end of the sessions, participants gave feedback, while the next steps for implementation were discussed.
The training is expected to be stepped down to head teachers, community drug distributors, frontline health facility workers, and other key implementers across the state.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included Directors and Staff of EDSPHCDA, the State Integrated Health Team, LGA NTD Coordinators, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers from the 18 Local Government Areas, and representatives of relevant MDAs including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Small Town and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (STRUWASSA), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
