The Rivers State Government has commenced a statewide mass deworming campaign aimed at eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis in 11 endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The exercise is being driven by the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB), which has begun a comprehensive state-level training programme to kick off the 2025/2026 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) and Community-Based Deworming initiative.
The training brought together key health officials, including Medical Officers of Health (MOHs), Local Neglected Tropical Disease (LNTD) focal persons, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers, with each participating LGA supported by two state supervisors to ensure effective implementation.
Lymphatic Filariasis, a mosquito-borne disease commonly associated with poor sanitation and low socioeconomic conditions, remains a significant public health concern in affected communities. The disease is caused by microfilaria worms transmitted through mosquito bites.
The five-day campaign, which commenced on January 17, 2026, is a collaborative effort involving the RSPHCMB, the Rivers State Ministry of
