Anambra State government has joined the rest of the International Community in observing this year’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
The Neglected Tropical Diseases are infections which are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and America.
They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminthes.
These diseases are contrasted with the big three infectious diseases such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which generally receive greater treatment and research funding.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the effect of these diseases as a group is comparable to malaria and tuberculosis.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala during a Press briefing to mark the day said that the State government is working tirelessly to ensure that the State is free from the neglected tropical diseases, especially river blindness.
Dr. Okpala noted that the State government will continue to intensify awareness campaigns across the State to reduce the prevalence of the diseases in the State.
The Director of Public Health in the Anambra State Ministry of Heath, Dr. Uchechukwu Onyejimbe pointed out that the Ministry will continue to create awareness for Ndi Anambra about the diseases, and as well, keep distributing drugs for the treatment of the neglected tropical diseases, which are free and safe.
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