Neglected Tropical Diseases Threat To Food Security In Nigeria

Experts from Federal Ministry of Health today warned that Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) constitute threat to food security in Nigeria as it exposes farmers to danger.

The National Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases Elimination Programme, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike who is also a Director in the Ministry of Health said farmers affected by NTD would not be able to carry out their farming and that it could lead to food scarcity.

He warned that 122 million Nigerians were at risk of NTD and the it was aiding and promoting spread of poverty in Nigeria by reducing the productivity of the affected citizens and impoverishing them.

Anyaike spoke at a 2-day Media Dialogue on Neglected Tropical Diseases Control in Nigeria organised by United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with Child Rights Information Bureau, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Anyaike said adequate attention was not given to NTD because it affected the poor people mostly, lamenting that when the diseases render those affected unproductive, their dependants suffer and poverty gains more ground.

Anyaike appealed to government at all levels to pay more attention to NTD and increase budget for it so as to save lives, banish poverty and improve the economy.

He also urged the media to raise awareness of NTD by sensitizing the people about it. Anyaike appealed to all stakeholders to support the efforts to eliminate NTD, saying no investment on NTD was a waste.

The Programme Manager, Dr Nicholas Olobio also warned that NTD potend danger to the citizens and must be eliminated without delay.

A Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist with UNICEF, Mr Bioye Ogunjobi said adherence to proper hygiene and safe sanitation, including use of toilet, regular hand-washing and clean environment could assist in eleminating NTD.

UNICEF Communication Specialist, Dr. Geoffrey Njoku said the meeting was aimed at equipping journalists with useful information about NTD to enable them sensitize the public about it.

Njoku urges participants to mainstream the issues around NTD to attract attention and propmt necessary actions going forward.

The Deputy Director, Child Rights Information Bureau who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the the Federal Government was committed to eliminating NTD and ensuring good health for all citizens.

A woman affected by NTD, Mrs Balkis