The Enugu State Government in Eastern Nigeria has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the United States-based Carter Centre in a shared commitment to eradicating infectious diseases and improving public health across the state.
Dr Abel Eigege, Zonal Director of the Carter Centre in Enugu, made the statement during an advocacy visit on Saturday to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Emmanuel Obi. He highlighted the centre’s enduring collaboration with the state government, which began with the fight against Guinea worm disease and river blindness, and has since expanded to target other illnesses including lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and malaria.
Eigege praised the results of the decades-long partnership, noting the significant health, social, and economic benefits it has brought to Enugu residents. He recalled how Guinea worm disease was completely eradicated, with cases falling from 300,000 in 1987 to zero by 2009. He added that transmission of river blindness was halted in 2022, while lymphatic filariasis was successfully interrupted in 2024 through consistent mass drug administration efforts.
Eigege acknowledged that since their work began in Enugu, the Carter Centre has provided technical expertise, resources, and logistical support, while the Ministry of Health has contributed essential personnel, infrastructure, and access to communities. This joint approach has yielded remarkable outcomes .
He revealed that over 66 million treatments for various diseases—including river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and geohelminths—had been delivered in Enugu State between 1995 and 2024. In addition, widespread malaria control strategies, including the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, have significantly reduced both infections and mortality rates.
The centre has also played a major role in capacity-building, having trained thousands of healthcare workers, village health teams, and community volunteers. Millions of bed nets, diagnostic tools, and medicines have been distributed to support disease control and prevention efforts.
Looking ahead, Eigege announced plans to begin free surgical operations for hydrocele cases in Enugu later in 2025, expressing optimism that the partnership will continue to evolve and deliver further success.
In his response, Dr Emmanuel Obi commended the Carter Centre for its unwavering dedication over the past 37 years. He acknowledged that the collaboration has saved countless lives, eased suffering, and transformed communities across the state, describing it as a model of sustainable public health partnership.
