Bauchi state government says a total of 2,825,204 people were treated for onchocerciasis in the state in 2023.
The state also treated 1,212,623 for schistosomiasis and another 874,374 received treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis.
Zonal Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Health, Hauwa Abubakar gave the figures during the commemoration of this year’s World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day held at Central Primary School, Gwaram in Alkaleri LGA of the State.
“Today, on World NTD day, we gathered under the powerful theme” Write to act to eliminate NTDS.”
She said the commemoration is a call for collective action.
“The zonal office has made a significant Stride in the fight against NTDS, through awareness Campaign, in hard-to-reach communities, educating them on the prevention, treatment and the importance of personal hygiene.”
Abubakar added that the collaborative efforts with local health workers have resulted in increased treatment coverage.
“Looking ahead, we plan to intensity our community outreach, focussing on early detection through outreach, strengthening partnership with NGOs and Community leaders, Supportive supervision and technical guide.”
The State Coordinator of NTDs at the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA) Haruna Ibrahim Zwal said it is important to focus attention on other communicable diseases.
He assured that the agency will continue to prioritize effective and efficient healthcare service delivery across the state with a special focus on achieving Universal Health Coverage in the state.
The Coordinator commended the partners in the fight against NTDs, MITOSATH for ensuring that there is availability of the drugs required to fight NTDs in the state.
The Caretaker Chairman of Alkaleri LGA, Bala Ibrahim Mahmud said the Council will ensure the security of lives and properties of residents of the area as according to him, it is only in a secured environment that the issue of health can be given attention.
Mahmud reiterated the determination of his Council to ensure that healthcare services are provided unhindered to the people of the area.
“Considering the saying that health is wealth, we are providing effective and efficient service delivery in all our primary health care facilities and also ensure the availability of drugs and other medical consumables.”
He also lamented that innocent people are dying every day due to a lack of attention on the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDS) calling for required attention by all stakeholders.
By Lizzy Carr
