January 31, 2024

Nasarawa State has achieved a significant milestone in public health, with the successful treatment of over 400,000 individuals for schistosomiasis in the year 2023. Dr. Gaza Gwamna, the State Commissioner for Health, made this announcement during a press briefing held in Lafia to commemorate the 2024 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, themed ‘Unite To Act Together Towards Elimination of NTDs.’

Schistosomiasis, defined by the World Health Organisation as an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma, affected a total of 398,768 children and 46,017 adults in Nasarawa State.

Dr. Gwamna emphasized the collaborative efforts of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health and the Carter Centre in combating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the region. He highlighted the severe medical and socio-economic implications of schistosomiasis, including its impact on education and professional opportunities due to stigmatization and social exclusion.

The Commissioner also reported the successful elimination of other NTDs in the state, such as Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic filariasis, and Trachoma.

“NTDs pose a threat to national and state progress, affecting Universal Health Coverage, impeding poverty reduction, economic growth, and social development,” stated Dr. Gwamna. Looking ahead to 2024, the health authorities plan to intensify efforts by training local integrated health teams, health workers, school supervisors, and community direct distributors to achieve even greater results in the fight against NTDs.

This achievement underscores Nasarawa State’s commitment to public health and its dedication to eradicating preventable diseases from the community.

Details of the press briefing indicate that the state plans to train 390 Local Integrated Health Team members, 200 health workers, 42 school supervisors, set up more Hope Group clinics, and train 500 Community Direct Distributors in the ongoing fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases.