CARTER CENTRE REASSURES ITS COMMITMENT IN PREVENTION OF NTDs

By Chukwudi Nwauba/Azuka Nnabuife :

Anambra State Government through the State Ministry of Health and Carter Centre has reassured their commitment in prevention of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) across the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said this during a news conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Interventions in Awka with the theme “Unite to Act Towards Elimination of NTDs.

He urged Carter Centre and academic institutions to strengthen collaboration with the government, to sustain the successes achieved in the prevention of NTDs.

“Residents should report cases of elephantiasis, hydrocele, dog bites, snake bites, poncho nodules, yaws, buruli ulcer, leprosy, guinea worm, and bloody urine, to the nearest health centre for prompt treatment.

“We have  established three centres for treating dog bite victims with rabies viral infection at Onitsha Federal Medical Centre, Ekwulobia, and Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospitals. 

“Out of the 156 dog bite cases, 118 victims showed open wounds and bleeding, and more than half received free prophylactic treatment with anti-rabies vaccines.

“Results indicated that 87 males and 69 females were exposed, representing 56% and 44% respectively.

“The incessant movement of unvaccinated homeless, stray dogs in our streets remains a big challenge of public health.

“We are collaborating with the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, to control rabies viral infection in the state,” he said.

Earlier, Mrs. Egeonu Attamah-Isiani, Programme Officer, Carter Centre, said that the centre would continue to support the state to eliminate NTDs and achieve the global target by 2030.

Prof. Nkiru Orji, Coordinator, Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), South-East, urged the State government to make policies and increase funding for NTDs research, to provide data for elimination.

*Nwauba and Nnabuife are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.