By Onwa Ekor
Cross River is reportedly on track to the World Health Organisation (WHO) roadmap for the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) around the world.
This follows its announcement of 48.5 percent rate reduction of Soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and 76.6 percent rate reduction of schistosomiasis, during a day stakeholders engagement on the presentation of the 2016-2024 report on preventive chemotherapy of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis in the 18 local government areas of the state.
Presenting the report at the Essential Drugs Program office in Calabar, Senior Program Manager of Evidence Action, Eustace Ohaji, said his organisation over the years, supported the state in the programme of neglected tropical diseases especially soil transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis and intestinal worms, targeting children aged five to 14 years, in order to achieve the feat.
“This,” Ohaji affirmed, “is a tremendous result coming from the state and that shows we are on track to the WHO roadmap for the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases all around the world, so, Cross River is on course to see to the elimination of STH and Schistosomiasis in Nigeria.”
The report further recommended that, moving forward and in line with WHO guidelines, Bakassi local government area in the state should increase STH treatment to twice a year when medicine, operational and logistics feasibility are sufficient, while seven local government areas of Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar South, Etung, Odukpani and Yakurr maintain treatment at once per year, adding also that, Calabar Municipal decreases its treatment to once per two years.
Director/ Program Manager of National Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health and Social welfare, Mrs Imaobong Umah, applauded Evidence Action and other relevant partners for their interventions in six states of Nigeria including Cross River, maintaining that the federal government desires that children and the aged, remain healthy while ensuring that schistosomiasis and helminthiasis are eliminated come 2030 in line with WHO mandate.
Umah advised that if the eradication must be achieved, all must observe basic hygiene and inculcate certain behavioural change.
“It is good to have a good result but if you don’t sustain it, you will go back to the basics, so, in eradicating NTDs, hygiene is paramount and must be embraced to the fullest,” the federal Director said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Cross River Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonah Offor, appreciated the relevant stakeholders that worked tirelessly to achieve the result.
Offor represented by the Director, Public Health in the ministry, Patrick Odu, affirmed that the magnanimity of the governor, Prince Bassey Otu, went a long way in providing conducive environment for the result to be achieved, pointing out that, with four NTDs domiciled in the state, there was need for all to work hand in glove towards the eradication.
Goodwill messages were received from representatives of PHC, SUBEB, Ministry of Education among others.
