HANDS, Kano Govt move to eliminate NTDs in 7 endemic LGAs

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), in collaboration with Kano state government, is demonstrating strong determination to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in identified seven endemic Local Government Areas in the state.

Speaking to journalists shortly after a one-day enhancement meeting on planning and coordination for Social Behavioral Communication Change (SBCC) programme implementation,organized in collaboration with the Kano state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), HANDS’ Kano state LEAD, Adara Danjuma Priestly, recognized the efforts of Kano state Ministry of Health in fighting against NTDs, but insisted that more needed to be done for total elimination of five NTDs discovered in Kano.

Adara named the five NTDs discovered in Kano to include schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, trachoma, and STH.

Giving the wave of their control, Adara said: “schistosomiasis was prevalent across the 44 Local Government Areas in Kano, but intensive efforts has reduced it’s spread to 33 Local Government Areas. Lymphatic filariasis spread has been reduced to four Local Government Areas.

“Onchocerciasis have remained in 18 Local Government Areas since it was discovered; trachoma has reduced from 10 Local Government Areas to 0; while STH has remained in the 17 Local Government Areas where it was found.”

The HANDS Kano LEAD, however, lamented that Karaye, Kiru, Kano, Madobi, Rogo, Sumaila, and Kura Local Government Areas have remained endemic to NTDs, insisting that urgent steps need to be taken to discourage open defecation, stagnant dirty water, and unclean environment and lack of hygiene in those areas before the situation escalate.

According to him, Kano state is currently grappling with numerous challenges hindering the comprehensive elimination of NTDs through Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.

“These challenges include the lack of coordination and information sharing between WASH and NTDs sectors, insufficient capacity among health workers and professionals to deliver comprehensive information on NTDs-WASH collaboration.

“Limited awareness among citizens on the role of WASH structures in NTDs elimination, and the need for strenghteneing existing WASH structures in NTDs-endemic communities,” he added.

Adara noted that NTDs/WASH collaboration is aimed at sustaining the gains already achieved through the PC NTDs approach.

He, however, stressed the need for synergy among relevant stakeholders to achieve desired result, insisting that, “the project is targeting communities with low level of sanitation in the Local Government Areas of Karaye, Kiru, Kano, Madobi, Rogo, Sumaila and Kura.”

Adara hinted that under the innovative approach to control and eliminate NTDs, HANDS has conducted over 20,000 trichiasis surgeries; while hydrocele surgeries are ongoing.

The Managing Director of RUWASA, Engr. Shamwilu Abdulkadir Tsamiya, who was represented by the Mobilization Manager of RUWASA, Ahmad Shamaki, expressed delight that reports from the endemic Local Government Areas indicated that the efforts are yielding huge results.

He further expressed optimism that at the end of the meeting, “stakeholders will understand their specific roles in SBCC-WASH-NTDs activities.

“Stakeholders will also plan strategies to adopt and be able to achieve the project’s aim. Stakeholders will also agree on strategies, timelines, and monitoring approaches to achieve the project’s goal of NTDs elimination.”