Three Million Ogun Indigenes May Die Of Leprosy, Others

Governor Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Government said Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) like Leprosy, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis and others might cause death to three million people in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing heralding the 2020 World NTDs Day.

It was reported that Neglected Tropical Diseases are viral, parasitic and bacterial diseases that mainly affect the world’s poorest people.

According to Coker, NTDs lead to Leprosy, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, Soil transmitted Helminthes and Buruli Ulcer (Skin ulcer).

She stressed that the diseases have affected 18 local governments out of the 20 local government in the state.

The Commissioner noted that several thousands of people have been affected by the diseases.

She maintained that “NTDs are group of infectious diseases that are associated with poverty.”

“The State Government has treated 780, 657 children in 6,000 schools and trained 8,500 teachers on NTDs in 2019,” she said.