From Moshood Olawale Karim
The Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, along with the Egor Zonal Inspector of the National Youth Service Corps, Mr. Ogbogodo Nosa, on Tuesday visited the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council in Benin City to discuss their collaborative efforts in raising awareness about Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD).
Mr. Nosa explained that NTDs are water-borne diseases that spread through the use of contaminated water and their aim is to educate the public on the causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
To commemorate the 2024 World NTDs Day in Edo State, the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) in collaboration with the NYSC MHS Group, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, organized an awareness and Sensitization Campaign on Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The campaign featured a Road Walk from Egor Local Government Secretariat to Uselu Market and back to the Council. It was inaugurated at Egor Local Government by the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia, who pledged her administration’s support for the eradication of infectious diseases.
The rally showcased placards with various inscriptions on NTDs, their symptoms, preventive measures and treatment. Other activities lined up for this year’s commemoration include a radio health talk on Independent Television ITV, Benin, by PPSN and NYSC MHS Egor Local Government to sensitize the public on NTDs, which took place on January 25th, followed by a TV health talk to sensitize the public on causes and preventive measures of NTDs on January 29th, 2024, at ITV Radio.
The team also visited Uselu Secondary school to sensitize students about NTDs on January 30th, 2024. In addition, rallies were held at Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West Local Government, and Okada, Ovia North East Local Government, simultaneously on January 30th, 2024, by NYSC Corps members in Iguobazuwa and Okada to create awareness on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of NTDs.
Mr. Nosa advocated for the need for the government to provide pipe-borne water to rural areas, enhance the distribution of medications such as praziquanted, ivermectin used for the eradication of infectious disease and ensuring that Primary Health Care (PHC) are functional in all communities of the State.
In response, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, commended the delegation for the issues raised and for taking steps towards the eradication of NTDs in Edo State.
He requested one-day training for journalists in the State to be properly briefed about the NTDs, enabling them to push the right message to the public through their various media platforms.
The high point of the visit was the decoration of the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalist, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, as an associate member of Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria.
