Niger
Country Overview
Niger, a West African country with a population of about 13 million, is among the poorest countries in the world. More than 60% of Nigeriens lives below the poverty line. All seven of the most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as well as malaria are prevalent in the country, and minimal government resources for health and development lead to a continued cycle of disease and poverty. Largely as a result of undernutrition and the heavy disease burden, Niger’s child mortality rate—24.8%—is one of the highest in the world.
Current Effort
Niger’s government is committed to reducing the country’s NTD burden. Vertical programs to address onchocerciasis (which has been almost eliminated in the country), schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and trachoma are supported by international organizations the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC), Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI), and International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) respectively. The Ministry of Health developed a five-year integrated NTD control plan, and in 2007, Niger was chosen as one of the “fast-track” countries to receive financial support from USAID’s NTD program for its implementation. This funding is provided through a sub-grant to SCI, which has been working with the national government and various local stakeholders (including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, RISEAL, and Helen Keller International) to scale up and integrate the existing NTD control programs in Niger. Since the launch of the integrated program and treatment campaign in April 2007, much progress has been made.
Efforts to empower local communities, which strengthen health systems and foster the long-term sustainability of NTD control activities in Niger, are also significant. In 2007, over 18,000 Nigeriens were trained—most of them as drug distributors—as part of a widespread initiative to increase health care capacity in endemic countries. In the integrated program’s second year, mass drug administration covered approximately 8 million people in 26 districts of Niger, an increase from the 5.2 million in 19 districts reached in 2007. Also in 2008, the Global Network mobilized funds for hydrocele surgeries, and a workshop on improving surgical procedures was given for 33 local doctors. Transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been almost completely interrupted in the country.
Remaining Gap
About $1 million per year is needed for ongoing efforts to enable the critical expansion of NTD treatment coverage to all of those at risk—more than 9 million people across Niger. Funding will also support further integration of interventions and management of NTD-related disabilities, such as surgery to reverse blindness caused by trachoma, and training of local health workers and drug distributors, empowering local communities to engage in sustainable NTD control.
