Prof. Andy Egwuyenga, Vice-Chancellor, Delta State University, has called for stakeholders’ action against the spread of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.
Egwuyenga made the call on Wednesday in Asaba when members of the Parasitology and Public Health Society (PPSN) and Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (DSPHCDA) visited him at the Anwai Campus of the university.
He said there was need for synergy toward strengthening research efforts to combat the diseases, saying, “NTDs have high socio-economic impact on the people.
According to him, as a university, we have strong commitment against the spread of diseases.
“Our university is a fertile ground for NTDs studies; we are in the fore-front of the fight against it.
“We urge other stakeholders to come together; we need to evolve workable programmes that will reduce the incidence of NTDs in the country,” he said.
Dr Isioma Okobah, Chairman of DSPHCDA, said the visit was in commemoration of the activities marking the 2021 edition of the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
Okobah, represented by Dr Paul Yinkore, the agency’s Director of Community Health Service, said that stakeholders’ collaboration was crucial in the fight against NTDs.
Also, Prof. Patrick Nmorsi, Director, Advanced Research Centre, said that NTDs has the ability of causing economic burden, stunted growth and poor performance in school children.
“It is important to promote research with other stakeholder institutions.
“We are willing to partner other outfits in ensuring effective disease prevention and control,” Nmorsi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World NTD Day was celebrated for the second time on Jan. 30.
NTDs are group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations, especially in the developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
The diseases are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms. (NAN)