Centre lauds Nasarawa for eliminating river blindness, gene worm diseases
Story from Ibraheem Hamza MUHAMMAD, Lafia
The Carter Center (TCC), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has lauded the feat achieved by the Nasarawa State Government for eliminating river blindness and gene worm diseases in the state.
Mrs Paige Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of TCC, represented by Mrs Lindsay Rakers, an Associate Director of the NGO said in Karu Local Government, that the feat was a result of years of hard work and dedication to providing sound healthcare for all the citizens.
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“It is also as a result of our resolve to work together to end this scourge and one by one they are been knocked out.
“Now 2.5 million in the state are no longer at risk to contract the disease,” she said.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Health, Pharmacist Ahmed Yahaya, ably represented by the ministry’s Director of Medical Services, Dr John Damina, hailed the feat as a dream come true that will go down in the history of Nasarawa state.
“The fight for these two diseases started in 1991 which is about 31 years now and today we are celebrating with the people who believed it would not come true.
“I want to commend The Carter Center who have contributed immensely as true and committed partners in this fight. Today, we are celebrating the elimination of Onchocerciasis and the elimination of lymphatic Filariasis as a public health problem in Nasarawa State, which is the second state in Nigeria to achieve this great milestone,” he said.
He explained that the state government under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule has embarked on free medical programmes such as surgery and eye care, hydrocele surgery and other medical services.
“The government has also embarked on the construction of comprehensive healthcare centres, general hospitals and employment of medical and health professionals to complement and fill existing gaps,” he said.
He, however, warned that despite the success, state officials, stakeholders and partners must not relax but be conscious and watchful because the state has border states who are still infected with the two diseases and could re-infect residents of the state.
“Our citizens who are farmers, fishermen, herders, and other activities that involve a constant visit to the rivers must wear protective clothing to prevent the bite of blackfly while our citizens must also sleep inside insecticide-treated nets to prevent infection and re-infection.
“Onchocerciasis and lymphatic Filariasis have left some people with hydrocele and lymphedema of the limbs and other organs of the body.
“However, the state ministry of health and its supporting partner seeing the plight and stigma on these patients have embarked on free hydrocele surgery for patients all over the state and set up Hope Groups Centers for management of lymphodema (elephantiasis) in the local government areas,” he said.
“It is also as a result of our resolve to work together to end this scourge and one by one they are been knocked out.
“Now 2.5 million in the state are no longer at risk to contract the disease,” she said.
Speaking in an interview, Alhaji Lawal Karshi, deputy chairman of the Karu local government area, appreciated the state government and TCC for celebrating the elimination of the diseases in the area.
He assured that the local government council would continue to do its best to make sure that the diseases do not resurface in the area.
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