By Kemi Olatunde

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Ondo State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the provision of qualitative health care delivery just as it promised to eradicate Non Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the State before the year 2030.

Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu spoke during the flag off of first ward level Schistosomiasis mass administration of medicine in the State  in Akure.

According to him, the agency has been striving to ensure that health care services get to the nook and cranny of the state, noting that government recently employed over 800 health workers at the Primary Health Care, PHC, level in order to boost its activities.

He assured that government will partner with other stakeholders including Federal Ministry of Health and MITOSATH to ensure the eradication of the diseases in the State.

However, he commended the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for providing leadership for the health system.

In a goodwill message, representative of the National Coordinator, NTD, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiangeli Nebe noted that over 200000 school children across eight wards in Akure South will be dewormed in the course of the programme.

She explained that lack of deworming in children look leads to bladder cancer and infertility among others noting that deworming improves growth and their general wellbeing.

While thanking the state Governor for his political will and support for NTDs, she assured of Federal Government’s commitment to the programme through the provision of drug and called on all to join the fight against the diseases.

Executive Director, MITOSATH, Dr.(Mrs) Francisca Olamiju  while describing deworming as a process of expelling harmful worms to all school children to reduce reduce infection prevalence and intensity, urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children eat before they are been administered the drug.

However she assured of the safety of the drug; Praziquantel noting that it prevents Schistosomiasis.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka while delivering his speech described Schistosomiasis as one of the NTDs earmarked for elimination by WHO in the new NTDs road map 2021  – 2030 noting that government has proposed to establish the first NTDs clinic in Nigeria in order to achieve the target.

He noted that the campaign aimed was to  reduce the burden of the diseases and also address the myths and misconception about Schistosomiasis and it’s management among residents.

Ajaka who was represented by Akanbiemu urged parents to present their children for the drug which according to him is the drug of choice for treatment and prevention of Schistosomiasis, noting that the disease is most prevalent among school age children.