Edo Govt, Carter Centre Partner Against NTDs
As a result of the rising cases of endemic Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) like Onchocerciasis, Soil-transmitted helminths and Lymphatic Filariasis in the 8 local government areas of Edo State, the state government has intensified its efforts in tackling the problem by providing free drugs to patients.
Akoko Edo, Ovia North- East, Ovia South -West, Etsako East, Owan East, Esan South- East, Uhunmwode and Owan are the affected local government areas.
According to Dr. Otaniyenuwa Eloghosa Obarisiagbon, the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), the intervention programme was a part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s initiative at improving the delivery of quality healthcare service in the state.
Dr. Obarisiagbon said that the agency was partnering with the Carter Centre to provide free drugs in order to ensure that the state could achieve a reasonable control of the diseases in record time.
Read Also: Noma: Nigeria Gets Second Treatment Centre
Read Also:
“Over the years, the Carter Centre has been supporting the Edo State government in combating the four neglected tropical diseases which include Onchocerciasis , Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted helminthes.”
Mrs. Happy Poko, the Edo State NTD coordinator, had explained that in tackling the diseases, it was necessary to reduce the morbidity that is caused by them in the endemic local government areas with the aim of achieving their elimination by 2025.
Mrs. Poko disclosed that the transmission of Onchocerciasis is through repeated bites by black flies of the genus Simulium.
“The disease is called river blindness because the black fly that transmits the infection lives and breeds near fast-flowing streams and rivers, mostly near remote rural villages. Lymphatic Filariasis is transmitted by the culex mosquito, especially in urban and semi-urban areas and anopheles mosquito, mainly found in rural areas. When lymphatic Filariasis develops into chronic condition, it leads to lymphoedema or elephantiasis of limbs and hydrocele.”
She explained that the disease “also affects the breasts and genital organs, body deformities which lead to social stigma and sub-optimal mental health, loss of income-earning opportunities and increased medical expenses for patients and their caretakers”.
