By Murtala Ahmed Mustapha
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has recorded significant success in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) across the country.
The Northeast Zonal Coordinator of the NTDs programme, Hajiya Hauwa Abubakar, disclosed this during the 2025 World NTDs Day celebration, with the theme of “Unite, Act, and Eliminate NTDs”, held in Liman Katagum, Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Hajiya Hauwa Abubakar highlighted that effective control measures have led to a drastic reduction in cases of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis.
According to her, the latest data indicates that the number of NTD reported cases has dropped from over four point three million to less than five thousand.
She further stated that, with the support of Mitosath and other partners, the NTDs programme in Bauchi State has made significant progress in controlling and eliminating these diseases.
She however, appealed for the provision of functional official vehicles to enhance effective monitoring and supervision across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, represented by the NTDs Coordinator of the board, Alhaji Nasiru Zoll, commended the Federal Ministry of Health’s efforts in tackling NTDs.
He assured the Board’s commitment to the complete elimination of these diseases in the state.
Speaking, the representative of Mitosath, Mr Emmanuel Tanko, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting NTDs programmes in Nigeria, pledging continued assistance towards their elimination.
While delivering a lecture on NTDs, Dr Mahmood Yarima Ilyasu urged stakeholders in the health sector, as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO), to intensify investigations into NTDs, emphasising that increased research would facilitate the elimination of these diseases.
In separate remarks, the District Head of Zungur, Surveyor Saidu Jahun, and the Village Head of Liman Katagum, Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar Gani, commended the Board for choosing Liman Katagum as the venue for the celebration, saying it has impacted the community.
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