ABRAKA/Nigeria: The Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University, Prof Andy Egwuyenga, has called for more effort in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Prof. Egwuyenga made the call recently when he received members of the Parasitology and Public Health Society (PPSN) and Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA) in his office on courtesy Visit as part of activities marking this year’s world Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day.
He stated that the university takes NTDs seriously and give priority attention to it, saying that the diseases were of high socio-economic impact, adding that there was need for research to strengthen in combating NTDs.
“The University is a fertile ground for NTDs studies and in the fore front to see that the disease burden is brought down to the barest minimum through research. As an institution we value research, most of our lecturers and student have been engaging in research which have gain international recognition,” he stated.
Egwuyenga pledged to organize a more formidable Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) in Abraka, sressing that his membership with PPSN was about 32 years.
“The university has eminent parasitologist, who work on various research areas. The visit is significant and it will rekindle the flame for members to be active,” Prof Egwuyenga added.
The vice chancellor said that he looked forward to real enthusiasm to engage in ground breaking research that would be of benefit to the society as being practiced by advanced societies where funds were devoted to research.
In his remark, the Director of Advanced Research Centre, Prof Patrick Nmorsi welcomed the idea of collaboration with the Delta State Primary Health Development Agency, expressing hope that such collaboration would be sustained to cover other diseases of public importance.
He said that they had available and formidable team, ready to work, adding that NTDs (mostly Soil Transmitted Helminths and Trypanosomiasis or Sleeping Sickness) abound in Abraka, affecting the communities and causing economic burden, stunted growth and poor performance in school children.
Earlier the Chairman of DSPHCDA, Dr Isioma Okobah, represented by Dr Paul Yinkore, Director Community Health Service, said the visit was to seek collaborative efforts with the university towards eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases.
“One of the Agency’s mandate is to promote research with academic institutions. We look forward to collaborating with Delta State University on researches geared towards control and prevention of diseases especially the NTDs. We know the place of academias, their worth, they should be on the driver seat for any successful research,” Dr Okobah stated.
The chairman emphasized that the NTDs programme and Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for NTDs were domiciled in DSPHCDA, stressing that both bodies could not do without each other.
“The Agency will like to know to what extent the drugs distributed is working to eliminate the NTDs such as Onchocerciasis, Schistosomniasis and Lymphatic filariasis. This can only be done through research and your role as academias will be of great value,” Dr Okobah further stated.
A member Delta State PPSN, Mrs Pajiah Mofe, who spoke on behalf of the National President of PPSN, Prof Chinyere Ukaga, stated that the society looked forward to a more vibrant Delta State branch and were counting on the university’s support. for members to be engaged in community sensitization on NTDs.
The highpoints of the visit was the presentation of NTDs branded T-shirts to the university chapter of PPSN.
