ONDO STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT CELEBRATE WORLD NTDs DAY

As part of the effort of Ondo State Government to create awareness of Neglected Tropical Diseases in some local government in the State and to commemorate year 2025 World NTDs Day, Ondo State Ministry of Health embarked on sensitization programme in Ala Ajagbusi of Akure North Local Government Area of the State.
The team was led by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Stephen Fagbemi.

While addressing the Kabiyesi of Ala, Oba Eleyineko, the Olu Ajagbusi and his chiefs, the Permanent Secretary noted that the World NTDs day is mainly to create awareness about some diseases which are often neglected and are ravaging in some local government of the State.
Ikuomola noted the yearly event was always commemorated at the State level but the Governor of Ondo State mandated that the affected communities must be visited to create awareness about the diseases which are most times overlooked.

He explained that the State has continued to distribute drugs in the eighteen Local Government Areas every year to prevent the disease among the citizens while also urging them to always key to the prevention and treatment put in place by the Federal and State Government.
He appreciated the throne for making out time for the sensitization despite the short notice while also emphasizing that the sensitization should be stepped down in their various meetings.

The Permanent Secretary also lauded the Government for its determined effort to see to the good health of the people of the State through various interventions while also appreciating partners, MITOSATH, World Health Organization and United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) for supporting the State in eliminating the diseases in the State.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of Neglected Tropical Diseases program, Mrs Olanike Oladipupo noted that there were growing concerns of the NTDs in the State despite the various interventions put in place yearly.
She mentioned that the native NTDs to Ondo State are Schistosomiasis, Onchocerciasis, Soil Transmitted Helminthes and Lymphatic Filariasis in some communities in the State.

She described the signs and symptoms of the various diseases and the modes of transmission while urging them to always prevent the diseases by always taking the yearly dose given by the Government, noting that the medicine is safe and effective.
The State coordinator also emphasized on cleanliness and washing of hands which she said could cure 80 percent of the Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Responding, the Kabiyesi Olu of Ajagbusi, Oba Eleyineko appreciated the Ministry for the sensitization while also pleading for more staff in their Primary Healthcare centre and provision of more drug for the people in the community noting that, the Health Centre is the only place they can go when they are sick. He promised that the message would be stepped down to all the people of the community.

The team went round the community to sensitize the people on the signs, symptoms and dangers inherent in allowing the disease to be in their bodies without treatment.