Umar Sani
The Bauchi State Government has expressed its commitment to combating Neglected Tropical Diseases in the state and ensures their elimination by 2030.
The state commissioner of Health, Dr Adamu Sambo, gave the assurance while speaking at the closure of the Trachoma Trichiasis Project and handing over the transition plan to the Bauchi State Government by the Health and Development Support Programme in collaboration with Savesight on Thursday.
The commissioner represented by the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, explained, “As Trachoma remains the world’s leading cause of blindness and is among the neglected tropical diseases, NTDs measures have been put in place to ensure the elimination of all the NTDs by the year 2030.
“Bauchi state governor Bala Mohammed is committed to the health and well-being of the people and we appreciate the efforts of HANDS for conducting capacity building for 20 Ophthalmic Nurses on trachomatous trichiasis surgery (TT Surgeon) and training 40 healthcare workers (TT Surgeon Assistants), 17,912 community, directed distributors as case finders, two programmatic supervisors and two technical supervisors.
“Other supports provided were the establishment of Static Centers in 19 Local Government Areas and operation of 13,507 patients with trachomatous trichiasis from 2017 to 2023.”
In a remark, the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Hauwa Abubakar commended all the partners for coming together to fight the menace of trachoma and trichiasis in Bauchi state.
She said, “It is part of the priorities of the Ministry under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister, Prof Ali Pate in fighting NTDs across the country in partnerships.”
Also speaking, the Director of HANDS, Dr Innocent Emereuwa, said, “The project, which was executed for Seven years, had achieved tremendous successes as it was able to identify and treat many victims of the disease across the state.
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