Pioneering Integrated NTD Care in Nigeria
| Location: | Nigeria (Enugu, Abia, Ondo States) |
| Timeline: | Oct 2022 – Feb 2026 |
| Partner: | RedAid Nigeria |
Challenge
Leprosy, lymphatic filariasis (LF), and buruli ulcer aren’t just disfiguring—they’re devastating to a person’s mental health. In Nigeria:
- People with NTDs face extreme stigma
- Mental health support is nearly non-existent
- Care is fragmented and inconsistent
Solution
LivEx is a pioneering research and care project that conducted a 4-arm trial to explore the effects of combining physical care with mental health support and peer networks.
Key Details
- Training peer NTD champions to lead self-help groups
- Providing mental health and self-care coaching
- Comparing different delivery methods (health workers vs. peer support)
- Measuring outcomes like stigma, depression, and quality of life
Main Goals
- Educate 24 students per year, growing to 40 by 2026
- Provide disability care to thousands of more patients.
- Achieve self-sustainability by 2025 through student tuition revenue
- Strengthen India’s broader health workforce
Outcomes
- 180+ households directly impacted by NTDs
- Over 900,000 people in surrounding communities
- Nigerian health officials are able to use the results to replicate successful methods in other regions
Why It Matters
This is one of the first major efforts in Nigeria to link NTD treatment with mental health care. The goal? A new model for healing that treats the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
