Statistics based on the National Demographic Survey has indicated that over 100 million people are at risk of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) of trachoma, onchocerciasis, lymphatic flariasis, schistosomiasis or soil transmitted helminths, the state Commissioner for Health in Zamfara, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad Kanoma, has said.
Alhaji Kanoma made the pronouncement on the celebration of the 2nd World NTDs Day in Gusau as part of his ministry’s efforts to join the World to commemorate the day slated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to hold every year on January 30 across the World.
According to him, in the whole world, the alarming rate of NTDs are major causes of up to 530,000 lives and more than 60 million disability, annually over the years.
He further stated that in Zamfara state, the whole of the 14 local government councils are threatened, while six local government areas of Bukkuyum, Anka, Maru, Bungudu, Tsafe and Zurmi were previously endemic for Onchocerciasis, saying the state government in partnership with development partners had interrupted by prevention and total controlling of the disease.
He explained that the state government under the leadership of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle is committed towards ensuring provision of portable drinking water, environmental Sanitation and Hygiene, poverty reduction through youth empowerments and employments in a bid to limit the NTDs.
In an interview with newsmen after the occasion, the Zamfara State Coordinator of NTDs Abdullahi Labbo Bungudu described the diseases as a group of communicable infections that were of public health importance.
Bungudu further informed that in Zamfara state, five NTDs were identified to be endemic which includes Lymphatic filariasis(Elephantiasis), Soil Transmitted Helminths (Intestinal worm), Traucoma among others.
Bungudu further informed that within the year 2020 under review, mass drugs distribution was conducted in Maradun local government area in which 265,182 people received the drug, 520 people benefited from free hydrocele surgeries across the state, 348 people had free Trichoma Trichiasis surgeries in four LGAs including Anka, Bungudu, Maradun and Zurmi respectively.
