The Kaduna State Government, on Monday said it recorded 1,300 hydrocelectomy surgeries, 654 eye surgeries for residents as part of fforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, disclosed during a press conference in Kaduna as part of activities to mark the World 2023 Neglected Tropical Diseases Day with the theme: “Act now. Act together. Invest in neglected tropical diseases”.
Baloni said the state also enrolled 120 lymphoedema patients in home base care management in addition to treatment of target population with chemo-prophylaxis.
She said the investment of the state government and supporting partners to the neglected tropical diseases programme has led to significant increase in chemotherapy, case detection and management for trachoma, hydrocelelectomy and lymphoedema management in the state.
“The funding enjoyed by the programme from the government, supporting partners (sightsavers) and drug donor (Merek sharp and Dohme ,Glaxosmithkline and pfizer), has resulted to the elimination of two diseases (River blindness) and trachoma (eye blinding disease).
The Commissioner added that the government is focused on ensuring that the risk of tropical neglected diseases infections is reduced and has put in place several measures to promote the well-being of its citizens which include: provision of enabling environment for donor support, providing financial and technical support for disease intervention in addition to the existing provision of chemo-prophylaxis and case management.
“The government and partners have put in a lot of efforts in the well-being of the citizens of the state.
“The neglected tropical diseases programme last year recorded successes in the treatment conducted across the 23 local government areas on lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helmiths and case management of hydrocele surgeries and lymphoedema management.
She said 2022 recorded reduction in infection from 3 per cent to 1 per cent..
According to her, with the achievement recorded, the state has shown possibilities of lymphatic filariasis elimination by 2030.
“This can be hastened by strengthening collaboration with key actors such as state malaria elimination programme in the provision of insecticide-treated nets, Ruwasa in the provision of portable water to improve basic hygiene as well as supporting the case management and treatment of target population in endemic local government areas.
She appreciated the state government partners (sightsavers) for their contributions, health workers and community implementers for providing health services to the people and ensuring that everyone had access to health care with ease.
She urged residents to support the state government by adhering to the preventive measures of neglected tropical diseases. (NAN)
