By Peter Uwumarogie
The Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have commended Gombe state’s efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
They stated this on Tuesday in Gombe during a media dialogue on NTDs elimination organised to assess progress in the state.
Hajiya Hawau Abubakar, North-East Zonal Coordinator for NTDs, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said significant progress had been made towards ending NTDs in Gombe.
Abubakar said the state’s commitment, supported by the federal government and development partners, was enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people in the state.
She stressed that achieving NTD-free status would positively impact the wellbeing of residents, especially children, and improve the economic fortunes of the state.
Abubakar urged the government, media and stakeholders to sustain the momentum, expressing optimism that the state could be free of NTDs before 2030.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, also praised Gombe state for the progress made so far in eliminating NTDs across communities.
Rafique said the state’s commitment to providing counterpart funding for NTD elimination activities was already yielding positive results in several localities.
She explained that Gombe state was close to the “breakpoint” where widespread preventive treatment could halt further circulation of the diseases within communities.
According to Rafique, achieving that stage would mark a major success in the fight against NTDs in the state and across the region.
“The progress so far is encouraging, but we must continue investing resources wisely to eliminate NTDs and protect children and women,” she said.
Rafique, however, said more effort was required to completely eliminate the diseases due to their severe impact on children and society.
She called for an integrated approach, using community-based mobilisation to promote hygiene, sanitation and access to clean water in the state.
The UNICEF official urged residents to prevent infection by avoiding contact with flies and mosquitoes that spread the diseases.
Rafique also described journalists as “the main game changers” in raising awareness and driving positive behavioural change.
Dr Musa Abdullahi, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, declared most of the local government areas as NTD-free.
Abdullahi said all LGAs, except Akko and Kwami, had been declared free of NTDs, sequel to the collaboration between the federal government, UNICEF and other partners.
He commended the continued partnership, noting that it had significantly improved the health and wellbeing of the people of the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
