Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) and Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephanthiatis), are deadly diseases that have been neglected in Kaduna State. Sight Savers, an international non-governmental organisation has said.
Others ravaging the state are Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia), Soil Transmitted Helnicathes (Intestinal Worms) and Trachoma (Blinding Eye Disease).
Programme Manager of the Kaduna State Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Programme, Dr. Abdulkadir Isa Randagi, said that the diseases could be controlled if traditional leaders are involved.
Speaking at the Emir of Zazzau's palace, he said the diseases mostly affect the rural people, and that the traditional rulers need to be involved for the fight to succeed at the grassroot.
Randagi said that 15 local government areas of Kaduna state were found to be endemic for onchocerciasis and 18 were found to be endemic for lymphatic filariasis while all the 23 local government areas were endemic for schistosomiasis.
Dr. Ado Zakari Mohammed, Director, Public Health, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Kaduna, said the diseases are now receiving attention, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has in the last ten years reviewed the cases of the diseases and realised that millions of people have died or were disabled by the diseases.
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