The Zamfara State Commissioner of Health, Dr Nafisa Mohammed Maradun, has revealed that more than 100 million people are at risk of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.
Dr Nafisa Maradun made the disclosure on Thursday during the celebration of the 6th World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, held at the Zamfara State Ministry of Health Conference Hall in Gusau, the state capital.
“Our respected members of the press, ladies, and gentlemen, I am delighted to address you today on yet another historic day marked globally by the WHO as a call to action on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).”
She said World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day is a global public health event celebrated on 30th January every year since 2020, serving as a global reminder of the importance of NTDs and their devastating impact on health and development.
“It is also a time to celebrate the achievements made toward the control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and to encourage everyone to join the growing movement toward their elimination and eradication.”
According to her, the purpose is to highlight and remind the global community of the immeasurable suffering of people affected by NTDs and to renew the commitment to alleviating the suffering of those affected by ending the diseases.
“Neglected Tropical Diseases are a group of parasitic infections that are major causes of preventable blindness and disability. They threaten almost 2 billion people worldwide and can cause severe and lifelong impairment,” she mentioned.
The Commissioner maintained that these debilitating diseases (NTDs) are mostly prevalent in rural regions, poor urban areas, and conflict zones.
“The associated stigma can have a devastating impact on those affected, as well as their families and communities.”
“Worldwide, NTDs are major causes of up to 530,000 lost lives and more than 60 million disability-adjusted life years.”
“In Nigeria alone, more than 100 million people are at risk of one or more of these Neglected Tropical Diseases.”
She stated that these NTDs include Trachoma (a blinding disease), Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis), and Soil-transmitted Helminths (intestinal worms).
The Commissioner further disclosed that the Zamfara State Government, under the leadership of Governor Dr Dauda Lawal, has committed many resources to the fight against NTDs in Zamfara State.
“Together with the support of our partners, such as Sightsavers, we have achieved the interruption of Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) transmission in six local governments that were previously endemic,” she said.
The local governments are Bukkuyum, Anka, Maru, Bungudu, Tsafe, and Zurmi. Similarly, trachoma-endemic LGAs like Bungudu, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Tsafe, and Zurmi are now under control and no longer require preventive drug treatment.
“Lymphatic Filariasis, which was endemic in all 14 LGAs of the state, is now under control. All the LGAs have attained 5 or more effective therapeutic coverage during the mass administration of medicine and are now due for the Pre-Transmission Assessment Survey. What remains for the state to control is Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis),” she mentioned.
The Zamfara Commissioner acknowledged the tremendous support from partners, Sightsavers, who provided free surgical intervention to over 200 patients with Hydrocele (scrotal swelling) across the state in collective efforts to eliminate Elephantiasis.
“I am glad that tremendous achievements have been made regarding NTDs over the years in Zamfara State and Nigeria as a whole, but that will not stop us from making further efforts to eliminate them.
“The Zamfara Ministry of Health, under my leadership, has resolved to ensure the prompt release of funds for NTD activities as a sign of commitment to the programme’s sustainability,” she assured.
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