The Acting Commissioner for Health, Sabinus Nwibo, has called for concerted efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs, in Ebonyi State.
He made the call at Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, during the commemoration of the 2025 World NTD Day, which had the theme: “Unite, Act to Eliminate NTDs.”
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi, noted that NTDs include Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Schistosomiasis, and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis, as well as Trachoma, adding that they affect those living in extreme poverty in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
According to him, “They are prevalent in poor rural and disadvantaged urban communities, particularly in areas with poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and substandard housing conditions.”
He lauded the Ebonyi State Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and his wife, Her Excellency Mrs. MaryMaudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, for their efforts to improve the health of Ebonyi residents.
On their part, the Carter Centre Programme Officer, Dr. Christopher Nwuzor, and the HOD, Biology Department, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Dr. Chioma Anorue, described the diseases as chronic and asked everybody to join in the fight against NTDs through public enlightenment campaigns to enable people to take the drugs supplied by the Carter Centre free of charge for prevention and treatment.
In a vote of thanks, the Programme Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), Scientist Ifeanyi Nwofoke, appreciated them and advised those living with the conditions not to think that anybody is responsible for the sickness, as some usually believe their enemies or village people are behind it, but to accept and use the medication.
He disclosed that free hydrocele surgeries for about 193 people have been successfully carried out without any complications and encouraged them to spread the message so that people can be healed.
The event featured a road walk and a one-minute silence in honor of the founder of the Carter Centre and former American President, Jimmy Carter, who died recently.