The Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, says it will strive to ensure that Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria is reduced to the barest minimum.
Its Director-General, Prof. Babatunde Salako, made the assertion on Monday at a programme organised by the Public Health and Epidemiology Department of NIMR.
Theme of the programme was: “Current Techniques in Effective Laboratory Diagnosis of Neglected Tropical Diseases.’’
The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of tropical infections which are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia and Americas.
Salako said that the workshop was geared toward enhancing diagnosis for NTDs for proper care and management in the country.
“The purpose of this programme is to impact current skills and knowledge to relevant health professionals so that laboratories in the country will give out reliable results that physician can work on.
“Though, we have not been able to eliminated NTDs, we are not where we used to be in the past as regarding NTDs.
“The institute will continue to strive on its part to ensure that NTDs is brought to its barest minimum and that is why this is coming up,’’ he said.
Salako reiterated the institute’s commitment to transmit useful skills to health workers in the country.
Also, Dr Olurunnibe Mamora, Minister of State for Health, commended the institute for organising the programme which was the first of its kind in the country.
Mamora said that the workshop aimed at equipping health workers on requisite skills and knowledge required in the use of modern laboratory techniques for diagnosis of NTDs was laudable.
“Over an estimated one billion people in 149 countries in the world are affected by the menace which gives rise to a myriad of adverse impact that resulted in blindness, cognitive impairment and death.
“ This initiative by NIMR to build human capacity through training of health professionals is laudable and commendable.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has prioritised 20 NTDs based on their transmission and characteristics makes them candidate for control and elimination.
“The meeting in London in 2010 by WHO, Melinda and Bill Gate Foundation and pharmaceutical companies to ensure supply of drugs and other intervention to control and eradicate this disease, but diagnostic needed was not included.
“So, this is coming at the right time,’’ the minister said.
He urged the participants to be attentive to all the modules and equally cascade to the local level of care where NTDs was being managed.
The minister, however, appealed for more partnership with private entities to increase the capacity and skills of health workers in the country. (NAN)
