Eliminating NTDs key to Gombe’s economic growth, better health outcomes – -Stakeholders

Some stakeholders in the health sector have called for more actions and investments as part of efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Gombe State.

They stated that eliminating NTDs would result in significant economic benefits through increased productivity while reducing health risks amongst residents of the state.

They highlighted the benefits of an NTDs-free status for the State on Tuesday in Gombe, during a Media Dialogue on NTDs Elimination in Gombe State.

The meeting was organised by the Gombe State Government in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners.

Hajiya Hawau Abubakar, the NTDs North East Zonal Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said that “significant progress” had been made in the fight towards ending NTDs in Gombe State.

Abubakar said the commitment of the state government and support from the Federal Government and other development partners towards the elimination of NTDs was good for the health of citizens in the state.

She stressed that an NTDs-free status for Gombe would impact positively on the wellbeing of children and residents as well as the economic profile of the state.

“Eliminating NTDs will help improve social outcomes like education while eradicating NTDs-related obstacles that prevent children from growing and fulfilling their potential in life.

“These diseases affect the poor, so their elimination can significantly reduce poverty, improve overall health, and support progress on multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

According to her, NTDs like lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and trachoma can lead to permanent disfigurement, chronic pain, and blindness.

She stated that eliminating NTDs would help prevent the above consequences while preserving physical function and quality of life.

Mr Hilary Adie, the NTD National Consultant, UNICEF said eliminating NTDs would help improve on the wellbeing of children, stressing that for every adult affected by river blindness, a child is assigned to lead them, and “this would affect the child in every way.”
Adie said that severe disabilities and disfigurements associated with NTDs impose a significant burden on countries, limiting their citizens’ ability to reach their full potential.

“The impact of NTDs goes beyond health, deterring economic growth and resulting in billions of United States dollars in lost productivity annually,” he said.

“Eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) significantly reduces health risks by preventing severe illness, disability, and premature death, while also breaking the cycle of poverty and improving overall public health infrastructure and socioeconomic development.

“By reducing illness and improving cognitive development, NTD elimination leads to better school attendance and performance in children.

“In adults, it increases productivity and earning potential by reducing workdays lost to illness and disability.

On her part, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi said that Gombe State would gain a lot from eliminating NTDs in the state.

Rafique saidthat one of the ways of eliminating NTDs in the state was to attain open defecation free status for Gombe State, hence stressing the need for an integrated approach to ending NTDs.

She said that since NTDs were preventable, there should not be a reason for anyone to suffer from the disease in Gombe State and Nigeria.

She called for an integrated approach of using community-based social mobilisation to improve health outcomes by promoting better water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in the state.

The UNICEF official commended efforts of the government and all stakeholders while stressing the need for more efforts to eliminate NTDs because of its impact on children and society generally.

She urged residents of the state to complement efforts at eliminating the NTDs by “preventing themselves and their families from having contacts with flies and mosquitoes.”

While commending media roles in efforts to eliminate NTDs, She said journalists were “the main game changer” in the task towards ensuring more awareness that would result in behavioural change.

Mrs Maryam Umar, the Programme Manager of Amen Health Care and Empowerment Foundation stated that with the partnership of the state government and development partners, the state had recorded huge success in effort to end NTDs particularly onchocerciasis, (River blindness) Lymphatic filariasis, (Elephantiasis) and Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia ) which are the three most common NTDs in Gombe State.

Umar said that, “an NTD free Gombe is not just a health outcome, it is an economic imperative and a pathway to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),”she said.

Eliminating NTDs key to Gombe’s economic growth, better health outcomes – -Stakeholders