At least 120 million Nigerians nationwide are at risk of one or more of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), due to poverty, poor access to basic health facilities and amenities, the minister of health, Osagie Ehanire has said.
The minister who made this known at a Press briefing to mark the first World NTDs Day with the theme” Beat NTDs for good; for all” on Thursday also said that Nigeria’s large population makes it a prominent endemic country for NTDs in sub Saharan Africa.
Ehanire expressed concern that People afflicted by these diseases, which are over 20 in number are usually poor, vulnerable and left on their own to face the consequences. According to him, the diseases can result in blindness, deafness and various forms of physical disability and disfigurement.
He added that child NTDs sufferers often shy away from attending school and end up growing without skills and therefore trapped in a cycle of disease and poverty.
The minister also noted that NTDs and poverty are interlinked fighting NTDs has direct benefit on productivity and ability of citizens to contribute to the nation’s GDP, “therefore NTD elimination also eliminates poverty.”
Ehanire defined NTDs as a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical tropical conditions to include; Leprosy, Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis (river blindness), Schistosomiasis, Soil Transmitted Helminths, Buruli Ulcers, Leishmaniasis, Dengue, Guinea Worm Disease, Trachoma, Rabies, Noma, Yaws and Macetoma.
To this end, he reiterated the need for more awareness on the diseases because of the adverse impact they have and their relative obscurity as well as the availability of tools to combat them.
The minister noted that the federal government and it’s development partners are working together to tackle the scourge of NTDs in line with the 2013-
2020 plan.
“With the dawn of a new decade, we shall continue to strengthen our health system, pursue opportunities for mainstreaming NTD control using several programmes with the aim to provide UHC to citizens.
“To this end the 2013-2020 msterplan will be evaluated to ensure seamless continuation to a 2021-2025 plan in order to sustain the gains made so far.
The minister also announced a donation of about N1 billion naira from the T.Y Danjuma to fight NTDs.
He therefore charged all Nigerians to be involved and hold government and all health care proffesionals accountable in ensuring that NTD services and interventions reach the affected populations.
The officer in charge, WHO, Clement Peter noted that WHO is supporting the ministry of health to address NTDs in Nigeria. He said the 2020 NTD day is important to raise awareness on the disease and ensure to those affected get the necessary treatment and support.
Peter said treatment for river blindness which is one of the leading NTDs is free and there is need to ensure that every one affected gets the treatment.
Meanwhile, an NTD sufferer, Ohiare yakubu, lamented the difficulties he faces, Yakubu, who is battling elephantiasis said treatment is sometimes inaccessible and exorbitant.
He said, “It has not been easy for me battling this eleohantisis, I drop in and out if school, As you can see, some people who came here with me, their legs are bigger, this is because they don’t know how to manage the disease.
“Government should intervene, to enlighten them on how to manage and it provide gacilities for them. This disease affects mostly people at the grassroots and they don’t have the facilities and the fund.”
Godsgift Onyedinefu, Abuja
