The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) has commenced a state-level training programme to kickstart the 2025/2026 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) and Community-Based Deworming exercise.
This initiative is specifically designed to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 11 endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the state.
Participants in the intensive training included Medical Officers of Health (MOHs), Local Neglected Tropical Disease (LNTD) focal persons, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers, supported by two state supervisors for each implementing LGA.
Lymphatic Filariasis, often referred to as a “disease of poverty,” is a vector-borne condition caused by microfilaria worms and transmitted by mosquitoes. It typically thrives in settings with poor sanitation and low socioeconomic conditions.
The five-day campaign, which began on January 17, 2026, is a collaborative effort between the RSPHCMB, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
To ensure the program reaches every household, the board has implemented a tiered training structure covering state, LGA, and community levels to achieve maximum coverage.
By empowering Local NTD officers with specialized knowledge, the RSPHCMB aims to improve community sensitization and mobilisation, ensuring this round of medicine administration is a resounding success.
The Director of Disease Control, through the NTD Desk Officer, expressed gratitude to the Executive Secretary of the RSPHCMB, Dr. Chituru Adele, for his management’s continued support of these vital public health interventions.
