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How did Niger eliminate river blindness? episode artwork

Mar 12, 2025 16 min

How did Niger eliminate river blindness?

from Africa Daily Hosted by BBC World Service

River blindness – or onchocerciasis – is a tropical disease which causes itchiness, skin damage, and eventually blindness. It affects millions of people across Africa. In Niger a staggering 70 percent of the population was once infected. But now, after a gruelling 45 year health campaign, it’s become the first African country to eliminate the disease. Alan Kasujja speaks Dr Paulin Basinga, head of the Gates Foundation in Africa who has who has played a key role in the fight against river blindness in western Africa.

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How did Niger eliminate river blindness?

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