The acting Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Dr. Sabinus Nwibo has called for concerted efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases in the state.
He made the call in Abakaliki, during the commemoration of the 2025 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day which had the theme: “Unite, act to eliminate NTDs”
The commissioner who was represented by the Director Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi, identified the neglected tropical diseases to include river blindness, elephantiasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis as well as trachoma, adding that they affect those living in extreme poverty in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
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“They are prevalent in poor rural and disadvantaged urban communities, particularly in areas with poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and sub-standard housing conditions,” the commissioner said.
He lauded the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru and his wife, Mrs. MaryMaudline Nwifuru for their efforts to improve the health of Ebonyi residents.
The Carter Centre Programme Officer, Dr. Christopher Nwuzor and a lecturer at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Dr. Chioma Anorue, described the diseases as chronic and asked everybody to join in the fight against the neglected tropical diseases, through public enlightenment campaigns to enable people take the drugs supplied by the Carter Centre free of charge for prevention and treatment.
Programme Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ifeanyi Nwofoke, advised those living with any of the diseases not to think that anybody is responsible for their sickness as some usually believe their enemies or village people are behind their travail but to accept and use the medication.
He disclosed that free hydrocele surgeries of about 193 people have been successfully carried out, without any complication and encouraged them to spread the message so that people can be healed .
The event featured road walk and a minute silence in honour of the founder of Carter Centre and former American President, Jimmy Carter, who died recently.
