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Lymphatic Filariasis, otherwise known as elephantiasis, is one of the neglected and tropical diseases, NTDs which is caused by a threadlike parasitic worm and spread by infected mosquitoes.
Some signs of the disease include swollen scrotum and legs, enlarged breast or vulva, fever, headache, pain and milky urine.
Before now, the disease was endemic in ten local government areas of Kwara State but with regular interventions and support, transmission of the disease has been interrupted in ten local government areas leaving only Asa local government area.
At the flag off of the medical intervention, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam explained that the annual mass administration of medicines is a proven strategy recommended by the World Health Organisation, WHO to combat LF and other NTDs.
Dr Amina said although considerable success had been recorded in the remaining Local Government Area, some communities still require treatment.
“Over the years,the Kwara State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and Sightsavers, have been supporting the distribution of free medicines for Kwara citizens for treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis. I am happy to let you all know that we are on track and on the verge of Eliminating LF in the State.”
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry, Hajia Adenike Ibrahim, urged residents in the affected communities to accept and use the medicines, sleep under insecticide treated nets and report cases of ill health at the nearest health facility for early diagnosis and treatment.
“I wish to thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State,Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON, for prioritizing the health of all Kwarans through the support of several health interventions going on in Kwara State.
“Last year,we distributed Mosquito nets to all citizens of the state. These nets can prevent not only malaria but also Lymphatic Filariasis. In addition, the Ministry of Health just concluded the statewide free medical and surgery outreach to provide health care at the doorstep of all Kwarans.”
In an address, the Country Director of Sightsavers, Dr Joy Shuaib represented by the Kwara State Programme Manager, Olalekan Ajayi, said that the collaboration has yielded positive results because of the special interest of government in the health sector. In a remark, the Chairman House Committee on Health and Environment, Alhaji Owolabi Abdulrazaq, appealed to community leaders to mobilize people for the exercise and urged people with symptoms not to be shy away from treatment. In a remark, the Magaji of Afon, Alhaji Ibrahim Adebayo and the Baale of Afon, Alhaji Ibrahim Adelodun, thanked the State Government for the regular medical interventions and gave an assurance that people would turn out en masse for the exercise.
Interventions for elephantiasis include annual administration of mectizan and albendazole in endemic communities, distribution of insecticide treated nets, and surgery.
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By Rasheedat Iliyas
