Anambra State Government through the state ministry of health, has commemorated the 2024 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), Day.
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The state Commissioner for health, Dr. Afam Obidike who was represented by the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Afam Anaeme during a press briefing to mark the day stated that the day was another opportunity for relevant stakeholders to renew their focus in expanding advocacy and sensitization on the debilitating but preventable diseases of poverty.
According to Dr. Obidike, Nigeria suffers Africa largest burden of neglected tropical diseases as almost all the local government areas in Nigeria have one cases of one NTD or another.
The commissioner made it clear that the 2024 theme of celebration which is, “Unite To Act Towards Elimination Of NTD’s” was a global call for all persons, communities, organizations and all nations to join hands in the fight against the disease to ensure possible elimination and eradication by the year 2030.
Dr. Obidike further said that out of the four preventive chemotherapy NTD’s under intervention, Anambra in collaboration with Carter Centre has successfully interrupted the transmission of two including river blindness and lymphatic filariasis through mass drug administration and vector control programmes and appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo for all his support to the ministry.
“Four major Preventive Chemotherapy NTDs are endemic in Anambra State, and every LGA is affected by one or more Diseases that require Mass treatment of the At-Risk Population. The transmission of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis has been interrupted, Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis control and treatment are still ongoing.
“The Implementing Partner is The Carter Center and has been partnering with the State since 1995 till date. Drugs distribution take place in all LGAs / all Communities, and twice a year treatment occur in 16 OnchoLGAs, while LGAs that are hypo endemic are mectizan naive until 2016.
“The drugs we use in NTD include Mectizan for Onchocerciasis, Mectizan+Albendazole for LF, Albendazole for Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis, Praziquantel for Schistosomiasis.
“Schistosomiasis treatment with Praziquantel takes place in schools and School Age Children 5-14 years are targeted.
“We plead with all parents to collaborate with NTDs and allow their children to be treated.
“We also plead with Private Schools to partner with NTDs Program during School Based treatment,” Dr Obidike said.
The commissioner further stated that annually, NTD Programme targets to treat 80% of State Population over Five Million as projected. And Over 4,000,000 Individuals in 2635 Villages of 179 Communities belonging to 21 LGAs of Anambra State receive NTD preventive medicines annually.
Obidike added that researches are needed to identify other active breeding sites of Blackfly (S. damnosum) for effective vector control.
“We have only 2 active breeding sites (Omasi-Uno, and Omasi-Agu). We plead with All Community members / LGAs to assist in searching of fast flowing Rivers and Streams for Blackfly control.
“Everybody is encouraged to Sleep inside LLIN (Mosquito bed Net) to prevent Mosquito vector from transmitting Lymphatic Filariasis and Malaria diseases.
“We advise the General Public to help report cases of NGTDs Morbidity and disability (Lymphoedema, Elephantiasisi of limb or breast, Snakebites, Dog bite, Guinea Worm case, Buruli Ulcer, Leprosy, Yaws, Noma, etc), to the nearest Government Health Facility,” he added.
The health commission disclosed that Free of Charge Treatment against Rabies Viral Infection for victims of dog bite is ongoing in the State at Onitsha Federal Medical Centre(FMC) Enugwukwu General Hospital, and Ekwulobia General Hospital.
He added that the day is being celebrated annually on the 30th of January and disclosed that this year’s event marks the 5th celebration of NTD.
On her part, the Programme Officer, Anambra State for the Carter Centre, Mrs. Attamah Egeonu who said that NTDs are wrecking havoc in the society, added that they have been doing intervention on it since 1995 and requested on all hands to be on deck to eradicate it.
The Anambra State Nutrition Officer, Mrs Uzoamaka Eriken, In a vote of thanks appreciated those who have contributed in making the event a successful one and revealed that Anambra is doing well in the eradication of NTDs.
The event also featured presentations of prizes to best Community Directed Distributors (CDD’) and road sensitization show.
