Mirian Gom 
OSUN, Nigeria – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for deeper collaboration and investment to eradicate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.
UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, made the call on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Faji, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, assessing progress in tackling NTDs through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
“Partnerships remain vital in sustaining gains and ensuring no child suffers from preventable diseases,” Saeed said.
State Health Commissioner, represented by Gbadebo Iyanda, praised the Faji community for achieving open defecation-free status and interrupting NTD transmission.
Traditional ruler Oba Moshood Olaleke, the Afaaji of Faji, commended UNICEF and donors for “changing the community’s health story through clean water and hygiene.”
Residents testified to the success of treatments for Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis, and UNICEF officials inspected community-built boreholes and toilets that improved sanitation.
“UNICEF’s impact shows that community-led hygiene is key to ending NTDs,” said Oba Olaleke.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Chukwu Obinna 
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