PPSN, NYSC seek NUJ’s support to curtail spread of NTDs

The Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria , Edo State chapter, has urged Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo Council, to join the fight toward eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the country.
PPSN sought NUJ’s support in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps Community Development Service group.
The call was made in Egor Local Government in Benin, on Tuesday.
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The State’s Coordinator of PPSN, Nosa Ogboghodo, made the call when the society’s team visited the leadership of the NUJ in Benin to commemorate the 2024 World NTDs Day, annually celebrated on January 30.
The WNTDs Day is to raise the profile of neglected tropical diseases, the suffering they cause and to garner support toward control and eradication, in line with the targets set out in the NTDs Road Map 2021 – 2030.
It is also aimed at raising commitments of the 2022 Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The 2024 global observance has “Unite. Act. Eliminate” as its theme.
NTDs, which include: Bruli Ulcer, Chagas Disease, Dengue Fever, Rabies, Noma Disease, among others, are a group of preventable and treatable parasitic, viral, bacterial, fungal, and infectious diseases which cause devastating health and economic problems, yet are not as well-known as other harmful diseases.
The PPSN coordinator, therefore, said the appeal to NUJ became imperative because of the critical role played by the media in sensitising the public on the causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
The PPSN Coordinator said “the media can help to emphasise the importance of providing pipe borne water to rural areas.
“The media can also bring to the fore, the importance of sustained distribution of medications such as praziquantel, ivermectin and other drugs used in the treatment of infectious diseases”.
He also called for functional Primary Health Care facilities in all communities by the state government.
Responding, the Chairman, NUJ Edo Council, Festus Alenkhe, thanked the society for the visit and for embarking on public sensitisation on the dangers of NTDs.
He pledged the union’s support to help get the public informed about the dangers of the diseases.
PPSN later decorated Alenkhe as its Associate member.