The Zamfara state government has raised the alarm over endemic of some Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) across the 14 local government areas, saying more than 4 milliion people are at the risk of Elephantiasis disease in the State.
This was disclosed on Monday by the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar at the occasion to mark the 3rd world Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs) held at ministry conference Hall in Gusau.
“14 local government are endemic and more than 4 million people living in the State are at the risk “.
He revealed that NTD is a major cause of preventable blindness and disability “they affects more than 1.7 billion people world wide and can cause severe and lifelong impairment”.
According to him, those affected with NTD (diseases) are usually stigmatized and that alone can have a devastating impact on the victims or their families.
“The disease not only affect people’s Health but they also take away their opportunities to go to school or earn a living, also the associated stigma can have a devastating impact on those affected as well as their families and communities”.
He maintained that the state government has enabling environment to show it’s commitments towards the control and eradication of NTDs in the state.
He said Nigeria as a whole and Zamfara State in particular is at the risk of contracting one or more of NTD’s.
“Trachoma, 7 LGAs are under control, Onchocerciasis, 6 endemic local government are no longer at risk and Bilharzia 14 local government are endemic and more than 1.1million school age Children are at risk”.
