… Government and Stakeholders Commemorate Y2024 World NTD Day with an Impactful Awareness Walk*
In a determined effort to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), the Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with stakeholders and non-governmental organizations, marked the Y2024 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day with a purposeful awareness walk around the State Government Secretariat and Alausa Communities.
Led by the coordinator of the NTD program in Lagos State, Mrs. Modupe Dawodu, the event witnessed active participation from representatives of partner NGOs, including Maryanne Edeh of Evidence Action and Dr. Francesca Olamiju of Mission to Save the Helpless (MITOSATH), alongside representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health.
**A Visual Pledge to Eliminate NTDs:**
The awareness walk served as a visual representation of the collective commitment to eliminate NTDs, providing a platform to educate the public on the prevalence of these diseases and the urgent need for united action to address the inequalities that drive NTD.
In an exclusive interview during the Awareness Walk marking the Y2024 World NTD Day, Mrs. Modupe Dawodu expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for unwavering support in the fight against NTDs in Lagos State.
Mrs. Dawodu emphasized the significance of combating neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis, Lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, leprosy, and trachoma. Notably, she highlighted Lymphatic filariasis as the most common in Lagos State, endemic in 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and schistosomiasis in 13 LGAs, stressing the need for collective action.
She pointed out that soil-transmitted helminths pose a serious challenge in three LGAs—Ibeju Lekki, Amuwo Odofin, and Ojo. To address this, the state implements a biannual deworming program for school-age children, 5 to 14 years old, in these high-risk areas.
**Free Medicine Distribution and World Health Organization Support:**
Mrs. Dawodu noted that the free medicine distributed during the mass administration of medicines campaign for the elimination of NTDs, supplied by the World Health Organization (WHO) through the Federal Ministry of Health, focuses on maintaining the health and concentration of school-age children. She urged residents to embrace this initiative, emphasizing its non-political nature and its role in safeguarding the well-being of children in the community.
“The message is clear: Accept the free medicine, keep the children healthy, and ensure a worm-free future for Lagos State,” she stated.
Speaking in the same vein, Mary Anne Edeh, Senior Program Manager at Evidence Action, called for sustained efforts in ending Neglected Tropical Diseases. Addressing the global movement’s theme, “Unite, Act, and Eliminate NTDs,” she emphasized the need for concerted action to eradicate NTDs globally and in Nigeria.
Highlighting the positive impact of investing in NTDs, Edeh noted that sustainable financing is a success story in global health and development. “It not only keeps children in school but also enhances their performance, paving the way for a more productive adult future,” she noted.
Expressing gratitude for the ongoing partnership with the Lagos State Government, particularly through the Ministries of Health and Education, Edeh conveyed confidence in the commitment to eradicating and eliminating NTDs from Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. She commended the Ministry of Health’s seriousness in addressing the issue and called for increased investments to strengthen the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
Dr. Francesca Olamiju, Executive Director of MITOSATH, also addressed the pressing issue of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) during the Y2024 World NTD Day Awareness Walk, shedding light on the profound impact these conditions have on marginalized communities.
Highlighting the preventable and treatable nature of NTDs, Dr. Olamiju emphasized their intricate ties to poverty and ecological systems, causing devastating health, social, and economic consequences. She pointed out the neglect these diseases face despite their significant global implications, leading to the declaration of January 30th as World NTD Day by the 74th World Health Assembly.
Discussing Lagos State’s achievements, she commended the state for its proactive measures. Notably, Lagos received awards for implementing Schistosomiasis ward-level treatment and conducted a confirmatory mapping for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in 6 LGAs in 2023. LF treatment reached over 3.6 million individuals with a therapeutic coverage of 75% and geographic coverage of 100%.
Dr. Olamiju, while urging continued efforts and adherence to the WHO NTD elimination roadmap in the pursuit of a disease-free future for Lagos State and beyond, announced the commencement of Schistosomiasis treatment in seven LGAs in alignment with this year’s theme: “Unite, Act & Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases.”
