Ondo State Government has assured that it will continue to wage war against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) not only as a matter of public health concern but as a vital component of sustainable development goal in Ondo State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka gave the assurance at a one-day advocacy meeting with Stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as well as other implementing Partners.
Dr. Ajaka who said controlling NTDs will contribute to poverty reduction, improve health, gender quality, education, clean water and reduce inequality which all aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), further noted that the NTD programme operate as part of the State Healthcare system with the primary mandate of managing, reducing and eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases in Ondo State.
According to him, Ondo State NTDs unit has taken advantage of new technology and innovation in delivering care to the people of the State through mass administration, integrated control, disease mapping and surveillance, disease control and elimination.
He further noted that 584 primary healthcare centres, 24 secondary health facilities and over 385 private hospitals in the State currently addresses treatment of NTDs such as Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchoceriasis, Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminths in Ondo State.
On some of the achievements recorded so far, Dr. Ajaka said Ondo State Government has been able to treat 1,489,692 eligible individuals across Onchocerciasis endemic local government areas with Ivermectin with 100 percent geographic coverage across the communities.
"Also, the United Nations Education Fund (UNICEF) supported the State in Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in four endemic wards of Akoko North East Local Government Area of the State with 11,000 household triggered and over 100 communities have been confirmed to be open defecation free out of 186 communities triggered."
"Moreover, about 146 community WASHCOM committed were formed across the communities with 835 members".
He added that with the support of Partners, the State has been assessed on the status of the endemicity of NTDs in the State and that the official findings will be communicated to the State by the Federal Ministry of Health to know how far the State has won the battle against NTDs in the State.
While particularly appreciating partners inclusive of UNICEF and MITOSATH working on NTDs in the State, Dr. Ajakaye lauded the Federal Ministry of Health for their brotherly love towards the State.
One of the Partners on the project, the Executive Director of MITOSATH ably represented by Ononogbo Teddy Ikesinachi applauded the State Team for a job well done in ending NTDs in the State.
He used the opportunity to express hopes that the meeting will inspire the State to commit its counterpart funding for the project as the collaboration has yielded remarkable results.
Giving his remarks on behalf of UNICEF, Mr. Monday Johnson applauded the State Team for not just addressing treatment of NTDs but for investing in preventive aspects to eliminate the menace which is an index to assess level of development of a State.
At the event also was the General Manager of Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Engr. Rotimi Oladimeji who took time to highlight some of government's efforts in the area of ensuring access to portable water and sanitation.
He assured that the agency will continue to partner Ministry of Health to make life healthier for the people even as the campaign to end open defecation in the State will take a serious tone in 2025.
Also speaking, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Imaobong Umah noted that lots of grounds have been covered.
She however restated that more needs to be done in combating NTDs, particularly charging media organizations to take up the challenge of providing right information through advocacy programs to educate the populace.
In separate remarks, the representative of the PS, Ministry of Health, Dr. Stephen Fagbemi, the Director of Public Health in the State and the representative of the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mr. Adebusoye Monday, Director of Planning, State Ministry of Planning and Budget promised to provide needed support for the continuous success of the project in the State.
One major highlight of the meeting is the presentation of extent of implementation of NTDs elimination in the State by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Olanike Oladipupo.
Other highlight include a presentation on the 2025 proposed NTDs activities and budget with a panel discussion on modalities for the provision of a dedicated budget line and key timeline for the project.