FCTA TAKES NTD FIGHT TO THE ZUBA FRUIT MARKET

…Set to begin Community Drug Distribution on February 9

By: Prudence Okonna and Khadija Kawunda

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified its campaign against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), bringing life-saving medicines directly to traders and residents at the densely populated Zuba Fruit Market as part of activities marking the 2026 World NTD Day.

World NTD Day is commemorated annually on January 30, alongside World Leprosy Day, observed on the last Sunday of January.

In the FCT, the commemoration spanned two weeks of sensitisation and outreach activities, culminating in a large-scale public health intervention at Zuba Food Market, Gwagwalada Area Council.

Speaking at the sensitisation outreach on Friday, February 6, 2026, Head of the Disease Control Division, Department of Public Health, FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Ngozi Ebisike, said the choice of Zuba Market was deliberate due to its high population density and diverse patronage.

“When you talk about food, you get the crowd. People come here from all the area councils and even neighbouring states to sell and buy foodstuffs. This makes the market an ideal location to reach a wide and vulnerable population,” she said.

Dr. Ebisike explained that the outreach aligned with the 2026 World NTD Day theme, “Unite, Act and Eliminate,” which calls for collective action to end diseases such as onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis), schistosomiasis (Bilharzia or Snail Fever), soil-transmitted helminthiasis (Hookworms, Trichuris), Buruli ulcer, and leprosy.

She noted that free preventive medicines, including albendazole, mebendazole, and mectizan (ivermectin), were administered to eligible adults, with guidance provided on how family members, including children, should take the drugs at home.

“These medicines help prevent and treat worm infections and river blindness. While we are not conducting tests today, this is both a preventive and treatment strategy. People are also educated on symptoms and encouraged to visit health facilities, when necessary,” she added.

Also speaking, Coordinator FCT NTD Lami Ndayako said Zuba Market was selected because public health outreach activities had previously underserved it.

“We found that many community interventions had not covered this market. Today, we can see the turnout and the acceptance. People are collecting drugs not only for themselves but also for their families,” she said.

Ndayako announced that community-wide distribution of ivermectin for onchocerciasis will commence on February 9, 2026, following the training of Community Drug Distributors (CDDs) across the six area councils.

“Training of CDDs begins on February 9, and once training is completed in each area council, drug distribution will start immediately. We have enough medicine to cover the entire FCT, and we urge residents to cooperate with the volunteers,” she said.

Ndayako, therefore, urges residents to take advantage of the Drug Distribution to receive the drugs from CDDs.

Representing the development partner and Programme Officer with the Health and Development Support Programme (HANDs), Achai Ijah, said the outreach was part of a broader effort to raise awareness and accelerate the elimination of NTDs in the FCT.

“This medicine is critical. Beyond river blindness, ivermectin also treats several parasitic skin conditions. This distribution is a rare opportunity for residents to protect themselves and their families,” he said.

Market partic welcomed the intervention, describing it as evidence of government concern for grassroots communities.

Haruna Ibrahim, a seller in the market and Eucharia Asas a buyer both appreciated the FCTA for bringing the medicine to them.

“We are grateful. This shows that the government cares about us.” Abuja Digest reports that FCTA officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that no resident is left behind in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases, adopting the local campaign slogan: “Together, Let Us Beat NTDs in the FCT