Over 3 million people have received treatment against Lymphatic Filariasis disease in Zamfara in 2022, the State Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar has said.
Abubakar stated this on Monday in Gusau at a press briefing to mark the 2023 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) organised by Sightsavers International.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zamfara government has been partnering with Sightsavers International in fighting against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Sightsavers is an international non-governmental organisation that works with partners in developing countries to treat and prevent avoidable blindness, and promote equality for people with visual impairments and other disabilities
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Aliyu Maikiyo-Maradun, said that the state recorded tremendous achievements as regard to fight against NTDs through partnership with the NGO.
He said a total of 3.2 million people were treated during the mass drug administration against the disease across the 14 Local Government Areas of the state.
“Also, 350 people suffering from scrotal swelling received free operations in addition to treatment of 80 patients affected with elephantiasis.
“In an effort to prevent blindness, 202 people across the 4 LGAs also received free operations of Trachomatous Trichiasis.
“These debilitating diseases are most prevalent in rural regions, poor urban areas and conflict zones,” the commissioner said
According to him, the NTDs do not only affect people’s health, but also take away their opportunities to go to schools or earn a living and also associated with stigma.
“The state is not left alone in this fight against the NTDs, the state with support from the Sightsavers International achieved interruption of Onchocerciasis, transmission in six out of 14 LGAs that were previously endemic,” he added.
Abubakar listed the six LGAs to include: Anka, Bukkuyum, Bungudu, Maru, Tsafe and Zurmi, saying that they were all under control hence no longer in need of preventive drug treatment.
Earlier Speaking, the state Team Leader, Sightsavers International, Mr Ahmad Ibrahim, commended Zamfara government for providing an enabling environment for them to operate in the state.
He said that the day was marked to highlight the suffering of people affected by NTDs and to renew commitment on how to alleviate it by ending the diseases.
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