Niger Achieves Historic Milestone As First African Nation To Eliminate River Blindness With WHO Verification

Niger has become the first African nation to eradicate river blindness, a significant milestone verified by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This achievement was announced on World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. The Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF), initiated in 2017 by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, played a crucial role in this success.

RLMF collaborates with countries and other funders to eliminate river blindness and lymphatic filariasis in Africa and Yemen. The fund is co-led by Reaching the Last Mile, representing global health philanthropy efforts of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In its initial phase, RLMF was hosted by the END Fund.

By eradicating river blindness, Niger has generated an estimated USD$2.3 billion in economic benefits. Families affected by the disease have regained over 17.8 billion working hours, boosting GDP as they rejoin the workforce. Women, who often serve as caregivers, have reinvested 90 percent of their earnings back into their families and communities.

The elimination of river blindness also promises better educational outcomes for young girls treated for the disease. With improved education, these girls are likely to earn higher wages throughout their lives.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over 1.6 billion people worldwide. River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is a major cause of preventable blindness globally. It is transmitted through repeated bites from blackflies near rivers and streams, causing severe skin issues and vision impairment.

Despite progress, nearly 246 million people across 31 countries still need annual treatment for river blindness. The disease disrupts education and livelihoods, impacting entire communities. Before control programs began, up to half of adults in West Africa were at risk of blindness due to this disease.

Partnerships and Progress

The WHO's verification marks nearly five decades of collaboration in West Africa to combat river blindness. RLMF worked with Niger’s Ministry of Health to gather evidence supporting the elimination claim for this debilitating NTD.

Nassar Al Mubarak, CEO of Reaching the Last Mile, stated: "Niger’s elimination of river blindness is an extraordinary victory and a source of hope for many other nations still fighting this devastating disease." He emphasized that with sustained support from partners and country leadership, an Africa free from NTDs is achievable.

Future Goals for RLMF

Established in 2017 as a USD$100 million fund over ten years, RLMF aims to end river blindness and lymphatic filariasis in seven African countries and Yemen through mass drug administration and training lab technicians. Building on its successes like Niger's achievement, RLMF plans to expand its target to USD$500 million by December 2023.

This expansion supports an ambitious vision: eliminating both diseases from Africa and Yemen by 2030.

Dr Daniel Boakye from the END Fund reflected on his experiences: "As a boy I grew up seeing firsthand the deleterious impacts river blindness can have on individuals and communities... Nearly 50 years later... we have moved from controlling the disease to this historic verification."

Under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's leadership, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Niger on this historic achievement: "Today’s announcement reflects decades of effort... towards a healthier future." The UAE remains committed to supporting global efforts against neglected tropical diseases.

With inputs from WAM