The need for concerted efforts in Eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases has been stressed.
The Commissioner for Heath Dr. Josephat Akabuike stated this in Awka during a Press Briefing.
Dr. Akabuike said that Neglected Tropical Diseases affect both the poor and vulnerable in the society who live in urban slumps and villages, and made it clear that the diseases are commonly caused by unsafe water, poor housing, personal and environmental hygiene.
The Commissioner who maintained that the Neglected Tropical Diseases which mostly affect children revealed that Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme in the State in collaboration with implementing partners target to control, eliminate and eradicate four major Neglected Tropical Diseases which are River blindness, Schistosomiaisis,
Lymphatic Filariasis as well as soil transmitted helminthiasis. Dr Akabuike, pointed out that the State Ministry of Health in partnership with implementing partners distributed drugs to the affected areas free, gave health education, public enlightenment and interventions to eliminate the diseases in the state.
In a remark, the State Co-ordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases Mr. Emma Obikwelu said that the World Health Organization has shifted the Neglected Tropical Diseases programme from control to elimination and thanked the State Government for the steady and prompt payment of its counterpart funding.
The Carter Centre Programme Officer in the State, Attamah-Isiani Egeonu in his remarks noted that the State government through the Ministry of Health is making frantic efforts at eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases and assured of more robust partnerships that will entrench healthy society.
It would be recalled that in 2016, Anambra State was rated best in the implementation of the Neglected Tropical Diseases programme in Nigeria and has continued to sustain the gains.
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