The Katsina State Government says it has provided preventive treatment to over five million people at risk of Elephantiasis between 2015 and 2022.
The Commissioner for Health, Mr Yakubu Nuhu-Danja, said this during a ceremony to mark the 2023 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, on Monday in Katsina.
He said that elephantiasis was among the four NTDs prevalent in the state, adding that the others are Bilharzia, Trachoma and Soil Transmitted Helminths.
According to him, the preventive treatment was provided with the support of Federal Ministry of Health and Helen Keller International.
The commissioner explained that the intervention was made through health education, training and capacity building of healthcare workers, teachers and volunteers, mass drug administration and surgery.
“As a result of this partnership and investment in NTDs, we have given prophylaxis of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) to over five million people who were at risk between 2015 and 2022.
“This is in addition to 10,110 trachomatous trichiasis and 61 hydrocele surgeries,” he said.
Nuhu-Danja said that NTDs required collective action to eliminate.
“These diseases cause disability, stigmatization, school drop-out and absenteeism, low wage earnings, increased healthcare spending among families, long term suffering and even death,” he added.
The commissioner, therefore, urged the people to take preventive measures through regular hand and face washing, baths, environmental sanitation, medical checks and taking appropriate drugs, among others.
