The Integration Dignity and Economic Advancement (IDEA-Nigeria), an advocacy group for persons affected by leprosy, has raised concerns over the prolonged delay in the supply of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT)—a critical treatment for leprosy.
The organization warns that this delay could reverse decades of progress in leprosy elimination and lead to an increase in lifelong disabilities.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, IDEA-Nigeria President, Mr. Peter Iorkighir Terver, revealed that over 3,000 patients, including 800 children, have been without MDT for over ten months. He attributed the delay to bureaucratic bottlenecks, particularly additional requirements imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“The supply process under WHO Purchase Order Number: 203416835 has been hindered due to demands for a Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) for Rifampicin, despite its global acceptance as a donated drug,” Terver explained. He warned that critical NAFDAC permits and inspection reports could soon expire, potentially restarting the entire supply process and extending delays into late 2025.
Terver stressed the dire consequences of these delays, noting that untreated patients face the risk of lifelong disabilities, stigmatization, and marginalization. “The right to health is a fundamental human right under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Denying timely treatment perpetuates preventable suffering,” he stated.
IDEA-Nigeria called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and resolve the crisis. The group’s demands include:
- A waiver from NAFDAC to expedite the release and delivery of MDT.
- Removal of unnecessary barriers to the supply of donated medicines to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to leprosy elimination.
- Timely access to treatment to ensure all affected individuals receive medication by December 2024.
“These delays are avoidable, and their consequences are preventable,” Terver concluded, urging all stakeholders, including government agencies and the international community, to act swiftly and decisively.
