Hydrocelectomy (hydrocele surgeries) was successfully conducted on no fewer than 837 Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) cases in Darazo and Giade local government areas of Bauchi state to give attention to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in 2024.
Also, 14,986 tablets of Albendazole 400mg were used to treat a total of 5,992 eligible persons for LF in Itas, Misau, Toro and Warji LGAs.
The disclosure was made by the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board (BPHCB), Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad at the Press briefing marking the commemoration of 2025 World Neglected Diseases (NTDs) Day in Bauchi State.
He added that a total of 2,043,000 tablets of Praziquantel 600mg was received from the Federal Ministry of Health and a total of 1,104, 686 children aged 5-14 years were treated for Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) in 16 LGAs across the state.
The EC declared that the state government, with support from its numerous partners, notably; Mission To Save The Helpless (MITOSATH), the Ending Neglected Sightsavers Diseases (THE ENDFUND), Health And Development Support (HANDS), and UNICEF, through the State Primary Health Care Board (BSPHCB) made giant strides towards combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) to ease the sufferings of millions of the rural poor and the deprived in the state.
According to him, “World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day is a day set aside by The World Health Organization (WHO) with the theme ‘Unite, Act, and Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)’ which is a global call on all stakeholders to unite to act towards the elimination of NTDs in the whole and in Bauchi State in particular.”
He also revealed that UNICEF supported the state in diverse areas such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) which is a key component of the global NTDs elimination strategy.
According to him, “Federal Ministry of Health has allocated (FREE) 150 doses of anti-snake venom and was received by the Bauchi State PHCB to manage cases of snake bites at the snake bite treatment centre in Duguri, Alkaleri LGA. 20 doses (FREE) of anti-rabies vaccines were received from FMOH for managing the incidence of dog bites in the state.
“It might also interest you to know that so far the state, with support from MITOSATH/The END Fund has successfully achieved the following feat as part of the global NTDs elimination target:- Pausing Onchocerciasis treatment following successful Epidemiological Evaluation.
“Entomological assessment is currently ongoing to determine if treatment can be stopped in the state.
“Passing Pre-treatment Assessment Survey (PRE-TAS) and Treatment Assessment Survey 1 (TAS 1) assessments, a significant milestone in Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Elimination. Conducting statewide schistosomiasis impact assessment, the first state in the country to achieve that.”
On the future plan of the Board, he stated, “Going forward, the State plans to conduct pre-treatment assessment survey in Alkaleri and Ningi LGAs
Conduct Treatment Assessment Study 1 in Darazo, Ganjuwa Alkaleri and Ningi LGAs, Continue with MMDP and sustain WASH/NTDs hygiene promotion and other WASH-related interventions.
“It is my pleasure to also reassure the good people of Bauchi State and indeed our Partners of this administration’s resolve to continually commit all necessary resources, both human and materials to ensure that NTDs are eliminated in the state before the 2030 dateline set for the eradication of these diseases globally.”
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