By; ADAM MUH’D, Gusau
As Zamfara State Government joined global world Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, the government lamented that 14 local government areas in the state are currently endemic for Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) disease.
This was made known by the state commissioner of health, Alh. Aliyu Abubakar M.C. during a press briefing to mark the world NTD’s day celebration on Monday.
The commissioner who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry during NTD’S day celebration, Alh. Aliyu Maikiwo Maradun, stated that six local government areas of Bukkuyum, Anka, Maru, Bungudu, Tsafe and Zurmi have achieved interruptions of transmission for Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) treatment.
According to him, the achievement followed the interventions carried out by the state government through the ministry in the six local governments.
“As a result of quick response by the state government through the ministry, these six local government areas no longer required annual treatment of elephantiasis disease,” he said.
He further pointed out that the trachoma endemic is under control in local government areas of Bungudu, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Tsafe and Zurmi, hence no longer in need of drugs treatment.
He said the ministry will redouble efforts to ensure areas and communities affected with insecurity are reached for free treatment of neglected tropical diseases which include, Trachoma, River Blindness, Elephantiasis, Bilharzia and intestinal worms.
The commissioner assured people of the state that the government under the leadership of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle is committed to ensuring the provision of adequate water supply, improve environmental sanitation and hygiene and poverty alleviation through youth employment which are major causes of NTDs.
The commissioner hinted that statistics available from World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that over two billion people worldwide are threatened with NTDs, 530,000 lives lost as more than 60 million disability, over 100 million people are at risk of one or more NTDs diseases in Nigeria.
