NTD Day: Delta govt promises safe, free treatment for patients

The people of Delta State have been advised to visit  the nearest Primary Health Care Centres and Community Directed Drug Distributors for safe and free services geared towards  the control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTD).

The services provided through the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency include treatment on  the diseases such as  blindness, skin rash with swelling, hernias and various deformities. 

Others  are river blindness; sleeping sickness; elephantiasis; guinea worm; leprosy; rabies, snake bites and many others.

Speaking to newsmen in Asaba as part of activities to mark the 2024 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, said the diseases were named ‘neglected’ because less attention was paid to them over the years by governments and stakeholders towards their control, prevention, elimination and eradication.

“The theme for this year is: Unite, act, and eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) through awareness and sensitization.

It is aimed at educating the populace about the Neglected Tropical Diseases, the strides made so far in the reduction of the burden of the diseases and also to call for a collective action towards eradicating them.

Dr. Onojaeme said that the day was endorsed by the 74th World Health Assembly following a common resolve for addressing the menace of the diseases with over 20 Communicable Diseases belonging to this category termed Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) of Public Health importance.

According to him, Nigeria was one of the countries with the highest burdens in Sub-Saharan Africa; “they are with us and we must extend a hand of fellowship to sufferers of the diseases”.

He enumerated efforts made so far by the  Delta State government in keeping up with the global target of eliminating the diseases  to include; mass administration of medicines for river blindness elimination; orientation of the public and communities on NTDs programmes.

It also includes support in reporting the diseases, institutional research to determine the prevalence of the NTDs in the state among others, thereby paving way for a greater reach of persons living with the diseases.

The Commissioner used the medium to appreciate Partners such as the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), Carter Center, the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) and other stakeholders for their assistance so far geared towards the elimination of the diseases in the  state.