THE Anambra State Ministry of Health in Collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, The Carter Centre and other partner Agencies have commenced the 2019 distribution of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) drugs across the 21 council areas in the state.
The exercise which has been a yearly activity in the state since its twelve years inception is geared towards the eradication of the four-key Neglected Tropical Diseases namely; Elephantiasis (Lymphatic Filariasis) caused by the bite of an infected Mosquito, River blindness (Onchocerciasis) caused by the bite of an infected blackfly, Soil-Transmitted Helminths (Intestinal Worms) caused by tiny worms and Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis) caused by tiny worm found in dirty and stagnant water.
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In a press conference at his office in Awka, the Anambra state capital, the state Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Akabuike said the Health well-being of the people of the State has been of paramount importance to the state government under the leadership of Governor Wille Obiano, stressing that this year drug distribution will be Judiciously distributed and effectively supervised to ensure that it gets to everybody in the state from 5years and above.
Dr. Akabuike also stated that since 2010, the result so far in respect to River blindness shows that the transmission is suspected to have been interrupted, and recent epidemiological evaluations have shown that the prevalence has been drastically reduced from pre-control in 1997/2000 to elimination stage now. He advised everybody from 5years and above to avail themselves of this opportunity and get treated as the drugs will be distributed from state to L.G.As, down to the Community level Villages, Churches, Market, e.t.c. He announced that the treatment will be door to door and is free and very safe.
The state coordinator of NTD, Mr Obikwelu Emma, on his part said he would make sure that the drugs distribution exercise gets to the 179 communities that make up Anambra.
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