FCTA sensitises students against NTDs

The Federal Capital Territory Department of Public Health has started awareness campaign on preventive measures against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), in Government Secondary School Garki, Abuja.

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Dr Eunice Ogundipe, Coordinator, NTDs, FCT Public Health Department, said that the essence of visiting the school was to sensitise members of staff and the students against the dangers of the NTDs.

She explained that the initiative was also to inform them that the FCT public health department treats the neglected tropical diseases free of charge.

“We have the drugs in stock.

“We are in partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the treatment of such diseases,” she said.

She said that many of the partners have been supportive to the Department in terms of provision of free drugs.

“We are here to commemorate the 5th anniversary of World NTDs day and to scale up awareness of the burden and prevalence of NTDs in the FCT.

“We dewormed people free of charge against the NTDs.

“Today, we have dewormed hundreds of students and some members of staff. This is targeted at reducing the burden of intestinal worms as many think that it is only children that can be affected but it is not,” she added.

She explained that deworming was not only for children, as adults were even at risk of NTDs, even though the children were at more risk than the adults.

“Once they have taken the medicine, if they are having heavy load of worms, it will reduce automatically and the burden will be low,” Ogundipe said.

Mrs Onwuka-Stella Ngozi, Vice Principal of the school, lauded the initiative, saying before now they did not really know much about NTDs.

“Your coming here into the school has really brought more enlightenment to our staff and students,” she said.

She assured that the school would continue with regular campaign and constant reminder of what they have learnt about NTDs.