Partnership with The Life You Can Save delivers urgent treatment to children in Niger

The withdrawal of Official Development Assistance (ODA) is having a devastating impact on health, education, and livelihoods across many countries. In Niger, the cuts have directly affected the country’s national programme for the control of parasitic diseases (PNLBG)—particularly its plans to treat against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases in 2025.

A critical threat to disease control

Schistosomiasis (SCH) remains highly endemic in Niger, with 69 out of 72 health districts considered at risk. Since 2003, the country has made significant progress in controlling the disease, but continued treatment is essential to keep parasite levels low and prevent resurgence.

In 2025, the PNLBG had planned a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign to treat over 1 million school-aged children across 24 districts in 7 regions. The treatment—praziquantel, donated by the World Health Organization—was already in-country but set to expire in October 2025. With schools closing for summer in June, the window for action was rapidly closing.

A rapid response through partnership

In response to the funding gap, the Ministry of Health in Niger, supported by The Life You Can Save (TLYCS) and Unlimit Health, mobilised quickly to deliver the existing stock of treatment to the originally targeted districts.

“This quick response demonstrates the flexibility and dynamic partnership between the TLYCS, Unlimit Health and the Ministry of Health that led to significant impact on children’s health and education in Niger,” — Wendy Harrison, CEO of Unlimit Health

Treatment delivered—just in time

Thanks to this joint effort, the MDA campaign was successfully implemented in July 2025, reaching children both in schools and through door-to-door outreach. In total:

• 1,262,173 school-aged children received treatment

• Delivered by trained community drug distributors and schoolteachers

• Supported by district-level health and education personnel

To amplify reach and awareness:

• 2,413 community relays and town criers were trained to deliver campaign messages

• 25 community radio stations broadcasted targeted messages throughout the campaign

Protecting health, preserving progress

This emergency response not only prevented the expiration of vital medicine—it also safeguarded the continuity of a programme that has made remarkable strides in controlling parasitic disease in Niger. Children received the treatment they need to stay healthy and in school, and the national programme maintained its momentum toward long-term disease elimination.