The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programme previously under the Primary Health care Devepment Agency ( OSPHCDA) has been disbanded and the Ministry of health has reconstituted and inaugurated a new committee in the state.

While inaugurating the new members of the committee, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharm (Mrs) Folukemi Aladenola noted that the reconstitution of the standing committee was mandated by the Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka purposely for the smooth running of NTDs in Ondo State and the reason was for the programme to start afresh to enhance proper coordination as well as to bring in all agencies relevant to the programme.

Aladenola noted that the activities of the unit were to promote government policies through proper coordination to ensure implementation and integration of the programme to reduce the number of people suffering from the disease in Ondo state

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the members of the new NTDs committee were drawn from all the concerned ministries and agencies that are key to the treatment and reduction of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the state

The accounting officer stressed that the Ministry of Health has the mandate to coordinate all health related programmes even if the implementation would take place in other agencies of government.

She therefore congratulated all committee members and also urged them to be passionate about the programme while stressing that the diseases affect the poorest of the poor in the society.

The Director Public Health of the Ministry of Health, Dr Richard Adesoji said it was important for NTDs to start afresh for better coordination and impact while saying the disease has become a menace in developing countries and the management of it cut across many agencies.

" For us to be able to manage NTDs properly in the state, there is the need to collaborate with all the concerned ministries and agencies that is why this committee is key.
The National NTDs programme coordinator, Dr Nse Akpan who was represented by Mr Osuagwu Chidubini in his goodwill message said it was their duty to come into the state through the Ministry of Health and that they have come to do so and to also witness the inauguration of the state' standing committee for NTDs.

Akpan pledged their unflinching support for the newly inaugurated standing committee.

The Programme Coordinator for NTDs in the state, (Mrs) Olanike Oladipupo while giving the overview of the programme said the four common endemic disease under NTDs in Ondo state are Onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, Filariasis and soil transmitted helminth and the strategies that have been put in place to control NTDs are case management, preventive chemotherapy,vector control, veterinary public health and provision of safe water sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

The standing committee members were drawn from the Ministry of Health, Primary Health care Devepment Agency, University of Medical Sciences, Hospitals management Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Sanitation and Hygiene, Ondo State Health Commodities and Management Agency and Ministry of Environment.

In attendance were the Administrative Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr Bobola Babatola, Director General, Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin, Executive Secretary, Ondo State Commodities Health Management Agency, Pharm. Amos Ayegbusi, other directors in the ministry and the representative of Non Govermental Organization, Mr Junaid Adeyemi,

ONDO MOH RECONSTITUTES AND INAUGURATES NTDs COMMITTEE