No fewer than 444,785 children and adults resident in Nasarawa State have received complete treatment for schistosomiasis disease in the year 2023.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna disclosed this during a press briefing to mark the 2024 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day tagged ‘Unite To Act Together Towards Elimination of NTDs’, in Lafia on Wednesday.
The World Health Organisation defines Schistosomiasis as an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma.
Gwamna explained that from the figure, a total of 398,768 children were infected by the disease, adding that 46,017 adults also suffered from the disease.
He said, “The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Carter Centre has done so much in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases in the state.
“The schistosomiasis disease has caused serious medical and socio-economic implications on the infected persons resulting in poor educational and limited professional opportunities due to stigmatization and social exclusion.
“The state programme received a total of 818,829 tablets of Praziquantel for the treatment of schistosomiasis amongst school-age children between the ages of 5-14 years and adults in endemic wards.
“398,768 children were treated, while 46,017 adults were also treated for the schistosomiasis disease.”
He further mentioned some of the NTDs successfully eliminated in the state as Onchocerciasis, Lympha filariasis, and Trachoma, among others.
“NTDs are a threat to National and State progress and interest as they affect the achievements of Universal Health Coverage and impede poverty reduction, economic growth and social development.
“In the year 2024, we plan to train 390 Local Integrated Health Team members; train 200 health workers; train 42 school supervisors; set up more Hope Group clinics closer to clients; and train 500 Community Direct Distributors to achieve more results,” the Commissioner added.