Oyo state government has embarked on administration of medicine against the river blindness and other diseases in the 33 local government areas.
This is as the World Health Organization, (WHO) disclosed that over 37 millions people are being infected with the ailment and other related diseases across the globe.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Adetumobi who disclosed this at a press conference in Ibadan on Monday said the disease is predominantly common among the people living near fast flowing rover in rural areas.
She added that millions of peoples are at risk of the debilitating condition particularly in sub-Sahara Africa where 31 Countries including Nigeria are affected.
According to her, “The social stigma associated with blindness can also lead to isolation and discrimination against affected individuals.
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“This impact extends beyond individual health, entire communities suffer from reduced productivity as those afflicted cannot work or participate fully in societal activities.
In order to stem the tide, the Commissioner disclosed that the Governing collaboration with the relevant global agencies has rolled out health plan that would be of benefit to over 5 million residents.
The plan as disclosed by the Commissioner is the 2024 mass deworming campaign and mass administration of medicines against river blindness and lymphatic filariasis in the state.
She, thereby, urged communities and residents to fully participate in the free health exercise which would be safely administered from house to house.
Dr Ajetumobi also explained that the free deworming exercise has been scheduled to end on the 30th November 2024, as over 700 trained health workers along with over 16,000 dedicated volunteers have been mobilized to administer the various medications and create public awareness to improve the overall health of the people.
While acknowledging that Governor Seyi Makinde has provided about 30 million naira as counterpart funding with support from development partners in ensuring the success of the exercise, the commissioner for health expressed commitment to end most of the diseases identified as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) by 2030.
