By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The Anambra Government, in partnership with the Carter Centre, said it treated no fewer than 4.7 million persons of the four major Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the state in 2022.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, gave the statistics at a news conference on NTDs interventions to mark the 2023 World NTDs Day, in Awka, on Thursday.

The theme for the 2023 World NTDs Day was: “Act Now, Act Together, Invest in Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World NTDs Day is marked every Jan. 30 to re-energise the drive to end the suffering from NTDs.

NTDs are caused by variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

Obidike identified Onchocerciasis, known as River Blindness; Lymphatic Filariasis, also known as Elephantiasis; Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), as the NTDs endemic in the state.

He described NTDs as preventable communicable diseases prevalent in areas with poor sanitation, inadequate safe water supply and substandard housing conditions.

According to him, the diseases are considered neglected because they enjoy little funding, and are almost absent from the global health agenda and are associated with stigma and social exclusion.

“Over six million individuals in the state are at risk if being infected with one or more types of NTDs and 80 per cent are targeted annually to receive preventive chemotherapy against the diseases.

“In 2020, 1.2 million persons were treated, 3.1 million persons were treated in 2021 and a total of 4,768,342 persons were treated in 2022.

“In partnership with the Carter Centre, 2,867 health workers were trained in 2022, on the detection, treatment, management and prevention of NTDs.

“Today, every prevailing NTDs in the state is currently receiving public health attention,’’ he said.

The Commissioner said that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration invested in NTDs programmes to scale up sensitisation in endemic communities.

He, however, urged residents to support government’s efforts by sleeping under treated mosquito net, reporting cases of Elephantiasis to nearest health centre and assist in searching of fast flowing rivers for Blackfly control.

Speaking, the Anambra Programme Officer, Carter Centre, Mrs Egeonu Attamah-Isiani, said the centre had been partnering with the state since 1995 to control and eliminate NTDs.

“We have been providing technical and financial supporting to the state, facilitate capacity building, drugs provision and distribution to interrupt NTDs transmission,” she said.

In his remarks, Prof. Dennis Aribodor of Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, urged the state government to invest and partner with the society in the area of research and data gathering on NTDs. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi

Participants at the event on Tuesday in Abuja

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Executive Secretary, Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), an NGO, Mrs Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, has said that the organisation is set to target 40 schools across the country to equip the girl child on life skills and reproductive health.

Akin-Jimoh, who was represented by the YEF Programme Assistant, Miss Mofeoluwa Ojotu, disclosed this at a Goal Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said that the Goal project was meant to build the self confidence of the girl child so that they could stand up for themselves.

She said that for the 2023 activities, the organisation’s Goal project was aimed at reaching a target audience of 11,080 across sites.

“One of the things the project is aimed at achieving is actually to build self confidence and boldness in girls.

“A lot of these girls actually have low self esteem and with this the influence of peer pressure can set it and make them do things they are not meant to do.

“We have Goal handbooks we use in facilitating life skills in schools so that a lot of issues affecting the girl child can be addressed.

“In one of the particular module, we talk about communication, peer pressure, refusal skills, labelling and having a high self esteem and saying positive things to yourself. That alone instills boldness in them,” she said.

She added that one of the Goals taught in 2022 was largely on quiz competition which helped the girls show what they’ve learnt over the years while also expressing themselves in various other skills.

She, therefore, said that the platform was geared towards pooling students across board and developing their talents in various forms.

“We do refresher training so that the girls will be properly impacted and we also showcase the various celebrations and international days, and road walk with the children so as to build their self confidence in other fields,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FAK/VAO

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Justina Auta

Prof Yoila Malann, Chairman, Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, says red or brownish urine, enlarged or abnormal scrotum and breast, diarrhea and visual impairment, among others, are symptoms of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Malann revealed this during the community outreach for treatment of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis (intestinal helminths) in Jahi Primary Health Centre on Monday in Abuja.
Helminthiasis is an infestation with one or more intestinal parasitic roundworms that include whipworms, hookworms and ascaris.
Malann said,” Those that have enlarged scrotum, scrotal sac that is distended and having difficulty wearing pants or enlarged breasts beyond normal are some signs of NTDs.
” Also river blindness can lead to visual impairment.

“All these diseases are preventable and treatable, if awareness Is carried out and people know about it and how to prevent it.”
He, therefore, advised people to desist from defecating, bathing and drinking from open spaces
“Let’s not bathe, defecate or urinate in open places, which can lead to our water bodies.
” And since water is not supplied in every places, people still go to open places and water to bathe and through that can contact the disease.
” So we can prevent it if government provides water or you dig well to get treated water. Also some drugs are being given free, once you take it, it resolves the crisis,” he said.
He also encouraged the need to embark on massive and continuous awareness campaign and translation of information materials into local languages.

“By translating all these into local languages to educate people on the dangers of open defecation, urination, bathing likely to lead to some of these diseases.
” If they cease from the practice, we will eliminate these diseases,” he said.
Also, Associate Prof. Olarewaju Adetutu, an expert on Public Health, University of Abuja, encouraged the public to adopt behavioral change that would improve our health status and eliminate diseases.
“It is hard to change human behaviours that is why we are still having the prevalence of these diseases in our communities.
” We should adhere to instructions of not making use of polluted water, bathing and drinking infested water and imbibe the habits of washing hands, even fruits and vegetables should be properly washed before consumption.
” I also appeal to the government to release more funds to provide clean water and take care of our water system,” she said.
Dr Eunice Ogundipe, NTDs Coordinator in the FCT, said the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2023 NTD globally celebrated every Jan. 30th.
” We are here to create awareness on NTDs and also treat community members. So many community members are suffering from some of these NTDs,” she said.

According to her, the sensitisation would also be replicated in various area councils, offices, schools, religious places, markets and other public places.
She, revealed that the FCT was carrying out various exercises in the elimination and treatment of Onchocerciasis, river blindness, helminthiasis, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis
Also, Dr Modupe Adeyinka, Director, Primary Healthcare Centres, AMAC, stressed the need for enlightenment exercise to enable people, especially those at the grassroots level, to be aware of causes and appropriate treatment for such diseases.

” These drugs are freely given and it would aide in eliminating these disseases.
” Information is power, when you know what to do and how to do it, you will be able to identify the diseases.
” We want you to spread the word around, so that everybody can be informed on measures to take,” she said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Amina Ahmed

The Bauchi State Government said it would soon commence treatment for victims of snake bite at Duguri treatment center in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

The Executive Secretary,  Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, stated this while briefing newsmen on the 2023 World Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs), on Monday in Bauchi.

He said that the state government has procured drugs worth N1 million for the treatment of patients.

According to him, six staff were trained on management and treatment of patients in the facility.

“We have renovated the facility and six staff were trained in Kaltungo to manage and treat patients coming with snake bites.

“The agency also has to procure the anti-venom which will be handed over to ward development committee (WDC) as revolving drugs.

“The present administration is concerned over the burden of snake bites, especially in Duguri community,” he added.

Speaking on some other neglected diseases, he said that the state has five NTDs that includes; Onchocerciasis (River blindness), Lymphatic Filariasis Schistosomiasis (Blood in urine) and Trachoma.

“The endemicity situation in the state is as follows; – Onchocerciasis (River blindness) is in 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs), Lymphatic Filariasis (Swelling of limbs) in 11 LGAs, Schistosomiasis (Blood in urine) in 19 LGAs.

“Trachoma (Eyelashes rubbing on eyeball) is also in two 2LGAs.

“All these diseases have a devastating effect and direct link to the economy and wellbeing of humanity,” he said.

The Chairman said that in 2022, the state conducted some activities on NTDs elimination.

He said that the Federal  Ministry of Health has procured 3,170,000 doses of Albendazole Tablets among others.

The Chairman said that surgery was conducted for 405 people with hydrocele in Toro, Misau and Itas-Gadau LGAs while 950 people benefited from Trachomatous Trichiasis surgery in 13 LGAs in the state.

He appreciated Mitosath and other development partners for their continued support in eliminating NTDs. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Gami Tadanyigbe

The University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, FCT, has advised Nigerians to go for regular diabetics test to ensure early detection of the disease for healthy living in the country.

A diabetes specialist in the hospital, Dr Yakubu Lawal, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada on Sunday.

He said that many diseases can be prevented or their consequences minimised through regular test and early detection or change to a healthy lifestyle.

According to him, complications from diabetes can cause cardiovascular disease, kidney, eye damage, hearing impairment and depression to an individual if not properly managed.

“Diabetes mellitus is a global pandemic while the prevalence is increasing at geometric rate because of the poor awareness among the populace.

“Some people don’t know when to go for a medical check-up in the hospital to know whether they are diabetic or not, or to associate with diabetic patients.

“The awareness is very poor and that is why the prevalence has increased in our society today because of the paucity of the enlightenment.

“There are people when you tell them their sugar level is high and they should come to the hospital for check-up, they tell you there is nothing wrong with them.”

He added that the need to encourage people to promote and adopt a healthy lifestyle was very important to help reduce the prevalence in the society.

Lawal revealed that there are three major types of diabetes namely; type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, adding that people with type I diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily.

He further explained that people with pre-diabetes are, however, at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, although they do not usually experience the symptoms of full diabetes.

“Changing your lifestyle could be a big step towards diabetes prevention — and it’s never too late to start.

“Regular check-up and healthy lifestyle goes a long way in preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Kemi Akintokun

Dr Jide Idris, the Convener, Healthcare Transformation Coalition (HTC), has urged medical professionals to contribute to policy making that will address brain drain and other lingering issues in the health sector.

Idris, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, made the call on Saturday at a programme organised by HTC under the auspices of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, to address brain drain in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme was ”Imperatives of Brain Drain in the Health Sector”.

“We initiated this event to listen to our young professionals in the medical line why they are not happy and also want to leave the country and practice elsewhere.

“There are many causes to the challenge anda major part of it revolve around management of human capacity.

“This is an election period and a good opportunity for us to contribute to policy making by ensuring that we put the right leader in place to formulate good policies that will move the sector forward.

“Health is everybody business and just for the government alone,” he said.

He added that there was the need to train more healthcare personnel and have health financing grants to fill the gap created by those who have left and also improve their welfare.

Also, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, said a rapid exit replacement strategy should be in place to address brain drain.

”Brain drain is not something that is new, it has existed for many decades and it has affected all professional cadre of the country.

”Nigeria is a natural exporter of human capital and this is because we don’t produce planes, equipment and the likes.

”We must make more healthcare professionals to address this issue and our institutions must pay attention to the selection process of medical students,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Muyiwa Eniayewun, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, said the number of medical practitioners produced should be increased to mitigate brain drain effects.

Eniayewun said: ”For instance, we produce 3,000 doctors in the country annually; but I believe with this present challenge we should be able to do 10,000 to maintain a balance and sustain the system,” he said.

NAN reports that a panelist session was also held for young medical practitioners to discuss and proffer solutions to the current trend of “Japa” (human capital flight) in various medical fields.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Vivian Ihechu