Stakeholders have met in Kano State North-west Nigeria to Provide a well coordinated and combine strategy for the control, spread and the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases NTDs.
The participants selected from 7 Local Governments LG of Kano State; includes Local Governments LG Primary Health Care workers, LG NTDs Coordinators, PHC Managers, LG HOD, Rural Water Sanitation Agency RUWASA, and State NTDs unit.
The Programme Coordinator Health and Development Programme, HANDS, Muhammed Yusuf said the meeting aimed at addressing challenges militating against a comprehensive elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases NTDs through Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
He said; “These challenges include the lack of coordination and information sharing between the WASH and NTDs sectors, insufficient capacity among health workers and professionals to deliver comprehensive information on NTDs-WASH collaboration, limited awareness citizens on the role of WASH practices in NTDs elimination, and the need for strengthening existing WASH structures in NTDs-endemic communities.”
Yusuf identified improved capacity building, addressing barriers, promoting Community engagement and synergy as pivotal in spreading massages for a better awareness on NTDs.
He mentioned approaches of controlling Neglected Tropical Diseases to includes Vector control, improved sanitation and Health education.
The Managing Director Kano State Rural Water Sanitation Agency, RUWASA, Shanwil Isa drew the attention of the participants on the importance of Water and Sanitation in communities.
While expressing the determination of the Kano State Government to support the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases, officials urged participants to spread the message to grassroots levels.
Also speaking in a presentation, Kano State Mobilisation Manager, RUWASA, Ahmad Shamaki spoke on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as a strategy to ending NTDs.
He encouraged the participants to promote the messages of cleanliness in communities, proper waste disposal and the avoidance of open defecation.
Also, in a Presentation, Mrs. Janet Abraham spoke on Social Behavioral Communication Change (SBCC) Strategy as a critical element in ensuring the control and elimination of NTDs in the society.
She said that NTDs thrive in environments that is lacking safe water and poor sanitation attitudes which spreads diseases, urging the participants to be change agents.
Some of the participants interviewed promised to work on the developed action plan towards the elimination of the Neglected Tropical Diseases NTDs.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are group of diseases caused by a variety of pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins) and associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences.
NTDs are mainly prevalent among impoverished communities in tropical areas.
Collaborative efforts between health and development sectors are essential to achieve sustainable health outcomes and meet the targets of the WHO’s NTD Roadmap 2021–2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 ( Ending the epidemic of NTDs) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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