By Agbonlahor Felicia
The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with Carter Center and other partners have used the occasion of this year’s World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (NTDs) to intensify the advocacy around NTDs.
While on an advocacy visit to endemic areas in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, the theme for this year “Act Now, Act Together, Invest in Neglected Tropical Diseases” featured heavily as Edo State joined the world to commemorate the global healthcare event that is celebrated every January 30th.
Communities visited during the advocacy tour included Igbogili and Ugomoson Communities both in Uhunmwode LGA of Edo State.
The Campaign featured a health talk and a road walk through the communities to create awareness and sensitize the people on the need to observe personal hygiene for the prevention of NTDs.
The Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen urged the residents of Igbogili and Ugomoson communities to comply with the State Government in keeping up with the global target of eliminating the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) through the Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM).
Also speaking, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Gideon Iraoyah noted that NTDs are influenced by poor hygiene, lack of access to clean water, and direct contact with infected surfaces and objects.
Iraoya listed Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), Soil-transmitted helminths, and Lymphatic filariasis and others as some common NTDs to guard against.
While explaining the causes of some of the common diseases associated with NTDs, he emphasised that humans become infected when blackflies deposit Onchocerca infective larvae into the skin when biting. While Soil-transmitted helminths which are also referred to as intestinal worms are transmitted through contaminated soil.
He also warned the residents about Lymphatic filariasis which is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms that live in the human lymph system which is responsible for maintaining the body’s fluid balance and fighting infections, adding that it could be spread from person to person through mosquitoes bites.
The Director added that people with Lymphatic filariasis disease could suffer from lymphedema and elephantiasis, while men could suffer swelling of the scrotum, called hydrocele.
In response, the Odionwere of Igbogili Community, Apostle O.M Okunwaye who was represented by Mr. Frank Okunwaye pledged the community’s support to achieving the government’s aim to reduce NTDs in the region to the barest minimum.
Earlier, while speaking to newsmen during a press briefing to mark the Day, the Executive Secretary asserted that diseases associated with NTDs are named neglected because less attention was paid to them over the years towards the control, prevention, elimination, and eradication of the diseases.
According to the Executive Secretary, these diseases may have been neglected but their negative impacts are still very significant. As such, “we must extend our hands of fellowship to those who have been infected and affected by these diseases.” he said.
Dr. Izedonmwen noted that the State Government is keeping up with the global target of eliminating NTDs through various means including; Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM), notably Ivermectin (Mectizan) for Riverblindness elimination in 15 LGAs; Albendazole for the elimination of soil-transmitted helminths in 16 LGAs; a combination of Albendazole and Ivermectin for lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis) in 7 LGAs and Praziquantel for schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis).
