By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
A total of 405 people with Hydrocele, one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Bauchi State were successfully operated on in Toro, Misau and Itas- Gadau LGAs just as well as another 950 people with Trachomatous Trichiasis in 13 LGAs in the fight against such diseases.
The disclosure was made by the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed while briefing Journalists on the celebration of the 2023 NTDs celebration.
He said that Bauchi State has been mapped for all the 5 Preventive NTDs which are: Onchocerciasis (River-blindness); Lymphatic Filariasis; Schistosomiasis (Blood in urine), Trachoma and Soil Transmitted Helminths.
The EC said that the result has shown that “we are endemic of all except Soil Transmitted.”
While giving the analysis, he said that for Helminths, the endemicity situation in the state is as follows: Onchocerciasis (River blindness) 12 LGAs; Lymphatic Filariasis (Swelling of limps) 11 LGAs; Schistosomiasis (Blood in urine) 19 LGAs and Trachoma (Eye lashes rubbing on eye ball) 2 LGAs.
According to him, “all these diseases have a devastating effect directly link to
economy and wellbeing of humanity. A lot of efforts have been put in place by the State Government and Supporting partners in the fight to eliminate these diseases.”
He disclosed that during the year under review (2022) activities were conducted by the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) elimination unit including receiving from the Federal Ministry of Health, 3,170, 000 ALBENDAZOLE Tablets, 9,859, 513 IVERMECTIN and PRAZIQUANTEL Tablets.
The Agency also received 624,000 and Treated 3,163,540 people with Albendazole and Ivermectin Tablets just as it conduct community mobilization on WASH- NTD collaborations
The future plans in fight the NTDs include more hydrocele surgery in some LGAs and do more Trachoma surgery in some LGAs.
He however disclosed that all the activities were carried out with support from MITOSATH, HANDS and UNICEF saying, “We want to solicit for more support from the Bauchi state Government to enable us eliminate NTDs in the state.”