Nigerian medical scientists has expressed worries over growing cases of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Africa such as elephantiasis and river blindness.
They noted that Nigeria now tops the list of countries in the continent with NTDs such as Schistosomiasis and Onchocerciasis (River blindness) worldwide.
The experts, who revealed this at a workshop organised by the Public Health and Epidemiology Department, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), further said the country ranked third among countries with lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) globally.
Among the scientists was Dr. Babatunde Adewale, Deputy Director, NIMR, who confirmed that the country has the greatest number of people infected with all the NTDs in Africa.
Adewale noted that Nigeria accounts for one-fourth or more of the global disease burden of both Onchocerciasis (River blindness) and Lymphatic filariasis.
He explained that considerable evidence suggests that NTDs place major constraints on economic development in most tropical countries.
He also said the potential for large scale improvements in health equity by tackling the diseases has been recognised in recent years by large-scale investment in controlling them.
Professor Babatunde Salako, Director-General of NIMR, while expressing worries over the challenges of NTDs, assured of his commitment to reduce the burden of such diseases in the country to the barest minimum.
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Salako explained that Nigeria had made progress in the elimination of the diseases, which he described as a diverse group of tropical infections common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
His words: “Although we have not been able to eliminate NTDs, we are not where we used to be in the past. The institute will continue to strive on its part to ensure that NTDs is brought to its barest minimum and that is why this is coming up.”
The NIMR boss also assured that the Institute would continue to transmit useful skills to health workers in the country.
Dr. Olurunnibe Mamora, Minister of State for Health and guest of honour, while applauding NIMR for organising the programme, said the workshop was designed to equip health workers on requisite skills and knowledge required in the use of modern laboratory techniques for diagnosis of NTDs.
Mamora said: “Over an estimated one billion people in 149 countries in the world are affected by the menace, which gives rise to a myriad of adverse impact that resulted in blindness, cognitive impairment and death.
“This initiative by NIMR to build human capacity through training of health professionals is laudable and commendable.
“The World Health Organisation has prioritised 20 NTDs based on their transmission and characteristics, makes them candidate for control and elimination.”
Mamora further tasked participants to cascade to the local level of care, where NTDs was being managed, the knowledge they were acquiring.
