Gombe: The Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have commended Gombe state’s efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). They stated this during a media dialogue on NTDs elimination organised to assess progress in the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Hajiya Hawau Abubakar, North-East Zonal Coordinator for NTDs, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, noted that significant progress had been made towards ending NTDs in Gombe. Abubakar highlighted that the state’s commitment, supported by the federal government and development partners, was enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people. She emphasized that achieving NTD-free status would positively impact the wellbeing of residents, especially children, and improve the economic fortunes of the state. Abubakar urged the government, media, and stakeholders to sustain the momentum, expressing optimism that the state could be free of NTDs before 2030.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, also praised Gombe state for the progress made so far in eliminating NTDs across communities. Rafique pointed out that the state’s commitment to providing counterpart funding for NTD elimination activities was already yielding positive results in several localities. She explained that Gombe state was close to the ‘breakpoint’ where widespread preventive treatment could halt further circulation of the diseases within communities. According to Rafique, achieving that stage would mark a major success in the fight against NTDs in the state and across the region.
Rafique stressed the importance of continued investment in resources to eliminate NTDs and protect children and women. She acknowledged that more effort was required to completely eliminate the diseases due to their severe impact on children and society. Rafique called for an integrated approach, using community-based mobilisation to promote hygiene, sanitation, and access to clean water in the state. The UNICEF official urged residents to prevent infection by avoiding contact with flies and mosquitoes that spread the diseases. She also described journalists as ‘the main game changers’ in raising awareness and driving positive behavioural change.
Dr Musa Abdullahi, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, declared most of the local government areas as NTD-free. Abdullahi noted that all local government areas, except Akko and Kwami, had been declared free of NTDs, following collaboration between the federal government, UNICEF, and other partners.