NAN-HG-3
Disease
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Dec. 13, 2017 (NAN) The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has called on stakeholders in the nation’s health sector to scale up the control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Adewole made the call in Abuja at the Sightsavers delivering of “One billion treatment’’ for people affected by NTDs in Nigeria.
According to WHO, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries.
It affects more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars every year.
“Populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals and livestock are those worst affected.
“Effective control can be achieved when selected public health approaches are combined and delivered locally.’’
Adewole was represented by the Director, Public Health, Mrs Evelyn Ngige.
“Although, we had made significant progress in treatment coverage in the last four years, thanks to partner’s supports.
“There is need to drastically scale up mass administration of medicine project in states.
“The government alone cannot control and eliminate NTDs.
“In addition to the states that have already been supported, we believe that more states such as Oyo, Ogun, Balyesa and Rivers will benefit significantly from the project, if included.
“We will continue to fight against NTDs; we should always remember that the achievement of our set target will form a lasting legacy for children,” the minister said.
Adewole implored the Non-Governmental Development Organisations (NGDOs) to continue on the path to excellence in the control and eradication of NTDs in the world.
The minister said that Sightsavers had been Nigeria’s partner in the control of NTDs and commenced a noble outreach on the control of River Blindness in partnership with the Ministry.
He said that it had strengthened the health system and operational research.
One of the Trustee of Sightsavers, Dr Uche Amazigo, said that the one billion treatments represent the success of collaborative work with hundreds of partners in a global scale.
“Nigeria carries 25 per cent of Africa’s burden of NTDs, making it one of the most endemic countries in the world.
“On Nov. 16, 2017, the one billion treatments itself was given to a seven-year-old girl, who was at the risk of NTDs in Kaduna State.
“It was a combined treatment for Onchocerciasis (River Blindness and Lymphatic filariasis (LF) funded by UK aid,” Amazigo said.
She said that every Nigerian has a role to play in eliminating the painful and poverty trapping NTDs.
Amazigo said that improving health, quality of life and future wellbeing was the responsibility of all.
The Representative of NGDOs, Dr Emmanuel Miri, called on all NGDOs to strengthen partnership with the health department at the local governments and the communities through the Community-Direct Distributors (CDDs). (NAN)
OEO/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye