Oyo's state government said that in 2024, at least 2.65 million children received free, safe and profitable medications to control the worms transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food and water and contaminated contact with contaminated soil.
The Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Board of the State of Oyo, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, who revealed this during the commemoration of the year 2025, the neglected world in tropical diseases (NTDS) of the Board in collaboration with the action of evidence He said 387,316 contacts were also treated by scitosomiasisisomiasis. , also a reason for anemia in the community.
Dr. Olatunji said that the helminths transmitted by the ground, schistosomiasis, elephantiasis and oncocerciasis (river blindness) were NTD in endemic in the state of Oyo, with 28 areas of the local government endemic for onchocercosis for elephantiasis, 28 for schistosomiasis and 33 for the ice cream transmitted by the ground.
According to him, although the NTDs are diverse, they disproportionately affect the populations that live in poverty, predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas, imposing a significant load of health, social and economic in more than one billion people worldwide.
“If they are not treated, they could lead to disability and stigmatization. River blindness, if not, could lead to loss of sight, while schistosomiasis and helminths transmitted by the soil can cause anemia. The long -term effects of some NTD can be catastrophic and can even lead to death, ”he added.
He declared that the Board, with the support of CBM, also carried out a surgical intervention for people with hydrocells and hernias, as well as the management of ulcers resulting from the disease.
Dr. Olatunji requested a concerted and united effort to eradicate the NTD in each corner and crack of our society for a healthy and virile population, urging the media to support the dissemination of the appropriate information about the NTD.
President, Health House Committee, Honorable Rilwan Gbadamosi declared that the emphasis should be more to raise awareness about NTD and their treatment, particularly in the bases.
The Executive President of the Universal Basic Board of the State of Oyo (Oysubb), Dr. Nureni Adediran, in a message of good will, declared that NTD cannot be discarded from children from 5 to 14 years old due to their nature Active, walking barefoot, swimming in Brooks, open defecation and outdoor urination for many people.
Represented by Mr. ADEWALE ADEYEMI, Director of Social Mobilization of Oysubb, said that school -based detentive, one of the interventions to reduce the NTD, in the long term, guarantees a decrease in school absenteeism, better mental health, a reduced social stigma due to severe deformities. and greater opportunities for education and employment.
Maryam Edah, senior manager in the southwest area for the action of evidence, in a comment, said that since 2017, the organization had reached 13.59 million school -age children with drugs for helminths and schistosomiasis transmitted by the ground and achieved a 93.4.4 percent effective effective. Coverage of children at risk with drugs for helminths and schistosomiasis transmitted by the ground in the state in 2024.
EDAH, represented by Emmanuel Dare, said the evidence action remains committed to expanding low -cost health interventions proven to improve the health of many people, especially children.
He asked for unity and action to end the suffering caused by the NTD among the vulnerable population, especially children, and requested unity of action and investment to ensure that children remain free of worms and in the state.
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