By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar
The Federal Government and UNICEF have praised Gombe State for making strong progress in eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Speaking at a media dialogue in Gombe, officials said the state’s effort including mass treatment, partner support, and government funding has greatly reduced NTD cases.
The North East Zonal Coordinator from the Federal Ministry of Health Hajia Hauwa Abubakar said Gombe could become free of NTDs before 2030.
She noted that ending the diseases will improve children’s health and boost the state’s economy.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, said Gombe’s financial commitment is paying off and the state is close to a stage where treatment could stop the diseases from spreading.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique called for continued investment to protect children and women.
Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Musa Abdullahi thanked the Federal Government, UNICEF, and partners for their support.
He said only two local councils Akko and Kwami still have NTD cases.
Health experts are calling for more government funding, better water and sanitation projects, and stronger community involvement to sustain the progress.
They added that recent plans now link NTD activities to national WASH programmes to help stop new infections.
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations and receive inadequate funding and attention.
Common examples include lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiases. These diseases cause significant suffering and disability, leading to a cycle of poverty, and are targeted for control and elimination
Leave a Reply