No more river blindness in Kebbi — Health commissioner

Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, ismail Yunusa has expressed that river blindness which was endemic in nine local government areas in the state have been completely eradicated.

Similarly, only two are endemic out of the twenty LGAs which were endemic for Lymphatic Filariasis, one LGA is endemic of out of the fourteen LGAs endemic of Trachoma, adding that this feet were achieved due to sightsaver’s tremendous achievement in fighting the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the State.

Yunusa made this commendation last weekend at a Press Conference in his office to commemorate this year’s World Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs) day celebration in Nigeria and Africa at large.

The Commissioner who represented the Governor, Nasiru Idris at the press conference averred that Neglected Tropical Diseases is a diverse group of diseases that are common in tropical regions which are the major cause of preventable blindness and disabilities.

He expressed further that, in Kebbi State, with the support from sightsaver, it has been possible to eliminate, Trachoma, River blindness, Lymphatic Filarisis, Bilhrzia and Intestinal worms.

He pointed out that only two Local Government Area out of twenty were endemic for lymphatic filarias, one local government areas is endemic of fourteen LGAs that endemc of trachoma adding that all the nine LGAs that were endemic of River blindness havs been eradicated.

“I want to thank Sightsavers who has supported this programme and the State to achieve this great milestone.

“I want to assure the good people of this state and surpporting partners that the present administration in the state is committed to play our part to unite and eliminate NTDs by supporting its activities.

“I want to also call on the sons and daughters of Kebbi State to join us in this fight to eiminate NTDs as a public health concern,” he said.

In her appreciation speech, the Sightsaver programme coordinator for Kebbi State, Miss Eunice Salamatu Dogo on behalf of sightsaver group expressed profound gratitudes to Kebbi State government for providing it with a good environment to play their role in improving the State health care delivery.

Dogo also appriciate members of the State Ministry of Health for their unflinching supports for the past twenty years they have been in the State, as she pleaded her organisation support for the state in another twenty years to come.

The celebration also witness attendance from the staff of World Health Organisation (WHO).

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