Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for the Control ofTu HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA),Dr Mansur Dada, Friday said the state had recorded 81 per cent success in the treatment of Tuberculosis last year.
Speaking during the celebration of World Tuberculosis Day held in Bauchi, with the theme ‘Unite to End Tuberculosis’, Dada said of the 3,239 cases recorded in the state, 2646 were treated.
He said the state had increased its Tuberculosis Treatment and Diagnostic Centres, from 23 in the 2007, to 90 in 2017.
He said that additional strategies would be implored to increase public awareness on the disease.
Speaking on challenges, the chairman said that there were cases of resistance to drugs experienced by some patients.
He also lamented that funding had reduced drastically as a result of the gradual withdrawal of some donor organisations.
The Federal Government will work with the Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA) and others to increase support for persons affected by leprosy,Health Minister Prof Isaac Adewole has said. He spoke when he visited on Yangoji Leprosy Communityin Kwali Area Council of Abuja, as part of activities marking this year’s World Leprosy Day.
Adewole said government would work with stakeholders to provide facilities and consumables to the victims in their communities.
He said: “I know there are other leprosy communities that are in serious state of disrepair. I will certainly get in touch with the Minister of FCT so that together we can visit Dakwa community in FCT to access how we can support them.
“I want to assure you that the real message we want to let the whole world know is that leprosy does not kill, leprosy is preventable, it is treatable and it is curable”.
Adewole said the theme of this year’s World Leprosy Day, “Zero Disability among children affected by Leprosy”, was borne out of the need to prevent children from being infected with leprosy. He said since leprosy was preventable and treatable, if anybody noticed any child with such symptoms he/she should quickly report to the relevant authority for treatment’’.
The minister praised the Board of Trustees of Leprosy Mission; Nigeria, World Health Organisation, the Damian Foundation of Belgium, German Leprosy and TB relief Association, Netherland Leprosy Relief (NLR) and Lions Club for their support.
The Chairman of Persons Affected by Leprosy, Ahmed Mohammed Nasir, urged the government at all levels to support people affected by leprosy with basic health and social amenities.
“We hereby call on the government and other partners at Federal, states and local levels to come to our aid. We also call on all Nigerians to see us as equal and part of the society. We need all the support to enable us actualise our full potentials towards national development”, he appealed.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCT, Dr. Oday Achu, also appealed to the minister to provide accommodation and other social amenities to people affected by leprosy in Dakwa.
“I humbly appeal for special consideration of the people affected by leprosy residing in Dakwa community to be relocated with appropriate provision of housing units for their accommodation, farm land and school for their children with other amenities.” Achu added.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of two wheel chairs, crouches and tubers of yam to the community by the President, Abuja Metropolitan Lions Club, Dr. Ozy Okonokhau
The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has denounced speculations in some parts of the country that leprosy is heaven’s punishment, adding that it is curable.
He spoke at a briefing with reporters to mark this year’s World Leprosy Day in Umuahia, Abia State.
The day was set aside to create awareness and mobilise support for leprosy control, and this year’s celebration was the 64th. The theme was: “Zero disability among children affected by leprosy”.
According to him, the day provided the opportunity to focus on an ancient disease that had caused a lot of misery to human race.
Prof Adewole said: “There were many mistaken beliefs about leprosy disease that it was highly contagious, hereditary, heaven’s punishment, and these negatively affected persons with leprosy even after they have been cured”.
He urged families with sufferers and the public not to discriminate against persons with leprosy, adding that those affected needed care, love and support from them.
On the ministry’s effort to stem leprosy, the Minister said: “We will continue to ensure sustained efforts to integrate leprosy control activities into health care service, institute a renewed focus on preventing disability and promote socio-economic rehabilitation as well as community development in partnership with people affected with leprosy. We will also continue to collaborate with the World health Oganisation (WHO) to ensure free supply of the multi-drug therapy (MDT) to our patients”.
Prof. Adewole said his ministry launched a five-year National Leprosy Strategic Plan 2016-2020 last year. The document, he said, facilitated the implementation of appropriate strategies to increase case detection, improve treatment outcome, prevent disabilities and provide rehabilitation to affected persons.
In the yesteryear, people living with leprosy were regarded as unclean and therefore discriminated against, even by their kith and kin. However, hope seems to rise for these people who the late dramatist Ola Rotimi referred to as living dead in his book Hope of the Living Dead. LUCAS AJANAKU writes that two non-governmental organisations (NGOs); Junior Chamber International (JCI) and NIPPON Foundation are collaborating to bring hope, dignity to lepers
From the Biblical times, people living with leprosy were regarded as unclean. People hate associating with them and anyone seen going close to them was also regarded as having been infested with the disease. The notion in that pristine era was that one gets infected with the disease because of certain transgression for which the gods punished the victim. They had no hope and dignity.
A typical example in the Bible was Neman who lived with the disease and was a taboo of sorts before his people. They were at arm’s length to him because they believed that whoever went close to him will be infected.
His sorry condition continued until he had contact with Prophet Elisha who asked him to dip his leprous body in River Jordan seven times. That he did and he was healed.
The discrimination that lepers in the olden days suffered is still being meted out to those who are living with the disease in our contemporary period.
Worried by this dehumanising situation which lepers experience in the society, a group, the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, in collaboration with a Japan-based private, non-profit grant-making organisation, NIPPON Foundation, has begun a nation-wide campaign designed to restore hope and dignity to people living with leprosy.
The two organisations said they are worried about the stigmatisation of people living with leprosy, adding that there is need to restore hope to people living with the disease.
According to C. E. Ogbonnaya, L. U. Ogbonnaya, C. M. Chuka-Okosa, the prevalence of leprosy has reduced from the estimated 10-12 million (with 5.4 million registered) worldwide in 1980s to about 0.75 million registered patients by 2002.
However, the incidence increased from 550,000 by 1985 to approximately 700,000 by 2002. Many cured leprosy patients are living with disability, including ocular disability. Many of these are potentially sight threatening. Already, about 350, 000 to 400, 000 leprosy patients are estimated to be blind worldwide.
In the Nigerian Journal of Ophthamology Vol. 12 (2) 2004: 38-45, Ogbonnaya, Chuka-Okosa said though the prevalence of leprosy is reducing, its incidence is increasing. Many cured leprosy patients are, however, living with ocular complications that could lead to blindness. Most of these blinding complications could be prevented with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
The authors advised that every health worker, particularly ophthalmologists, should be familiar with the ocular complications of leprosy, adding that periodic screening and surgical outreach programmes by ophthalmologists should be integrated into leprosy care programmes with a view to treating avoidable causes of blindness, especially cataract, uveitis and lagophthalmos. Funding for research on leprosy and health care delivery for leprosy should be sustained because available data show that leprosy is still a cause for concern.
Speaking at a forum to kick-start the programme, the President, JCI Nigeria, Mr. Olatunji Oyeyemi, said the campaign is part of NIPPON Foundation’s global appeals to draw attention to the plight of people living with leprosy.
He said: “We are delighted to be involved in the campaign to ensure that individuals live with dignity. The campaign is part of the NIPPON Foundation’s global appeals termed “Think Leprosy Now” campaign and we are glad to be able to work with them to bring a change to how the disease and people living with it are perceived.
“A lot of Nigerians do not know that leprosy is a curable disease and this has resulted in unnecessary stigmatisation of victims. If the public understands the disease better, people affected with leprosy will feel freer to seek treatment at most general hospitals where treatment is free instead of segregating themselves. As young people, we would educate our peers nation-wide in order to establish a society that is compassionate towards people affected by leprosy.”
According to him, JCI will connect with like-minded organisations such as IDEA Nigeria, that already has programmes aimed at bringing succour to people living with leprosy and their families locally.
Some of the programmes planned for the “Think Leprosy Now” campaign include leprosy orientation, training for youths, nation-wide awareness campaign and production of a documentary highlighting the effects of leprosy in rural areas.
Also speaking at the forum, the National Chairman, IDEA Nigeria, Mr. Ahmed Muhammed, said leprosy can be managed, adding that people should stop discriminating against people living with the disease.
”Leprosy is a disease that can be managed and treated but due to the high level of discrimination, most patients are ashamed of coming out for treatment. In the rural areas, most people do not know the symptoms, and as such they are most often disabled before they realise that they are affected. If it is discovered and treated early, most of the effected people will avoid the resultant disability that comes with it.
”The disease not only impacts the sufferers but also their families as they are unable to work and take care of their healthy children who often times have to go into isolation with them in communities set up for them. Even when some are completely cured, the disability from the disease which they’ve already overcome makes people still discriminate against them, leading to inability to find jobs and provide for their families,” he said.
He said IDEA Nigeria has been involved in identifying people affected with the disease in rural areas and directing them to free treatment centres in most general hospitals to avoid the disability which lack of early treatment can cause. He pointed out that most people affected by the disease also have the tendency to discriminate against themselves which often leads them to segregate themselves and avoid help.
JCI will use its active citizen framework to bring stakeholders such as government, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the business community for collaboration as it seeks to demonstrate the power of youth in creating positive change in the face of societal challenges.
It is one of the pithy and eternal sayings of our elders. From age to age, it remains a gem: do not worry about the ringworm when you are infested with leprosy, the saying admonishes rather unremittingly.
In other words, we are being charged to focus on the most important things and desist from going after inconsequential matters. Or put differently, we are also reminded by our elders about the un-wisdom of going in pursuit of the rat when our abode is being licked by a conflagration.
Enough said. All we are saying here is that there is a rising hoopla recently about buying made-in-Nigeria products as the key to fighting the wretched exchange rate of Nigeria’s naira against its foreign counterparts. Today, all sorts of groups and bodies talk glibly and make shallow noises about buying Nigeria, dressing Nigeria and even eating Nigeria; as if it were some sumptuous chow.
The din of the so-called ‘campaign’ is often raised to a ridiculously irritating decibel by people who either do not understand what they are talking about or are up to some mischief or both!
However, as we have seen in the past, the ‘campaigners’ soon exhaust themselves and slink back into their shells. Of course, they achieve little, because nobody listens to their oft meaningless shaman-like chants. They achieve nothing and they gain nothing (unless of course they deployed public funds in which case they would have wasted our resources).
Let’s put it into perspective: Hardball has been roused by the recent decision by two public bodies to combine to campaign for made-in-Nigeria goods, as the report stated.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) reportedly teamed up in what promises to be a formidable tag-team to exterminate a canker that has left Nigeria’s economy prostrate for too long. As their names suggest, SON regulates products in Nigeria, while MAN is an influence group of the country’s manufacturers. It is indeed a powerful duo.
Dr. Paul Angya, the boss of SON, said Nigeria had long been operating what he termed “a cargo economy.” This means an import-dependent system whereby the country has been spending billions in foreign exchange just to import goods from other countries.
Angya buttressed his point, noting that the high rate of consumption of foreign products by end-users and consumers has become so chronic that anything tagged “made-in-Nigeria” is already dead on arrival at the local market.
A great initiative alright, but Hardball has a few questions: (1) how many per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange is spent on petroleum products?
(2) for how long has Nigeria been doling out such huge foreign exchange nearly everyday to buy these products providence bequeathed to us in abundance?
(3) what are the immediate and long term plans to stop the importation of these products; we are talking about petrol, kerosene, diesel, aviation fuel, HDPE, LDPE, HPFO and over a dozen other industrial raw materials derivable from crude oil?
The point of this essay: If we stop the importation of petroleum products, we would save about 70 per cent in foreign exchange. Let’s deal with the leprosy!
It is one of the pithy and eternal sayings of our elders. From age to age, it remains a gem: do not worry about the ringworm when you are infested with leprosy, the saying admonishes rather unremittingly.
In other words, we are being charged to focus on the most important things and desist from going after inconsequential matters. Or put differently, we are also reminded by our elders about the un-wisdom of going in pursuit of the rat when our abode is being licked by a conflagration.
Enough said. All we are saying here is that there is a rising hoopla recently about buying made-in-Nigeria products as the key to fighting the wretched exchange rate of Nigeria’s naira against its foreign counterparts. Today, all sorts of groups and bodies talk glibly and make shallow noises about buying Nigeria, dressing Nigeria and even eating Nigeria; as if it were some sumptuous chow.
The din of the so-called ‘campaign’ is often raised to a ridiculously irritating decibel by people who either do not understand what they are talking about or are up to some mischief or both!
However, as we have seen in the past, the ‘campaigners’ soon exhaust themselves and slink back into their shells. Of course, they achieve little, because nobody listens to their oft meaningless shaman-like chants. They achieve nothing and they gain nothing (unless of course they deployed public funds in which case they would have wasted our resources).
Let’s put it into perspective: Hardball has been roused by the recent decision by two public bodies to combine to campaign for made-in-Nigeria goods, as the report stated.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) reportedly teamed up in what promises to be a formidable tag-team to exterminate a canker that has left Nigeria’s economy prostrate for too long. As their names suggest, SON regulates products in Nigeria, while MAN is an influence group of the country’s manufacturers. It is indeed a powerful duo.
Dr. Paul Angya, the boss of SON, said Nigeria had long been operating what he termed “a cargo economy.” This means an import-dependent system whereby the country has been spending billions in foreign exchange just to import goods from other countries.
Angya buttressed his point, noting that the high rate of consumption of foreign products by end-users and consumers has become so chronic that anything tagged “made-in-Nigeria” is already dead on arrival at the local market.
A great initiative alright, but Hardball has a few questions: (1) how many per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange is spent on petroleum products?
(2) for how long has Nigeria been doling out such huge foreign exchange nearly everyday to buy these products providence bequeathed to us in abundance?
(3) what are the immediate and long term plans to stop the importation of these products; we are talking about petrol, kerosene, diesel, aviation fuel, HDPE, LDPE, HPFO and over a dozen other industrial raw materials derivable from crude oil?
The point of this essay: If we stop the importation of petroleum products, we would save about 70 per cent in foreign exchange. Let’s deal with the leprosy!
In their secluded environment, love and care came to them. CHRIS OJI reports that a non-governmental organisation (NGO) provided free screening, among other things, for patients at Oji River Leprosy Settlement
Who loves the leper? For their ailment, they are quietly removed from the society, with no one but their families and fellow sufferers to talk to.
It was in that secluded settlement by the Oji River in Enugu State that the Bina Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) met them, treated them and gave them the feeling that their ailment did not make them any less human needing love and care.
There was also merriment at the meeting, just like a Christmas party. It was a visit with a view to providing for people with special needs. The children were treated to a special party in commemoration of the forthcoming Children’s Day celebrations.
There was a big cake for the occasion from the Bina Foundation and children danced happily to music provided by the Foundation’s musical band, most of who physically challenged.
•Children had their own dancing session
Prizes were won by those who competed and danced well in the dancing competition. Children were also entertained by Bina Foundation’s Superman, clown, prince and princess who distributed various gifts to them.
Bina Foundation visited the settlement with a dedicated team of volunteers made up of seven medical doctors, pharmacists, lab scientists, nurses and social workers. The team conducted medical screening tests for common ailments like malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, among others. They also performed eye examinations and provided medications and reading glasses to patients who needed them. All these were done free of charge.
The visually challenged and the blind, who were trained at the Bina Foundation Resource and Recreational Centre for the blind were also in attendance. They were part of the medical outreach giving medical attention to those in need. It was interesting watching the blind health workers as they were checking patients’ weight, blood pressure and so on with special machines that voiced the results.
Some of the excited blind medics Emmanuel Eze and Gabriel Ejenta told our correspondent that Bina Foundation had restored their dignity by proving to them that there is ability in disability through the special trainings and programme towards independent living for the blind. “Before now, all hopes were lost, until Bina stepped into our lives, as you can see we can operate computer, these machines or gadgets in front of us with assistance. It was a dream that Bina made come true. We just can’t stop thanking Bina foundation”.
There was a mini-lab created at the venue by Bina Foundation where various diseases or ailments were tested for. Ailments such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, were investigated with an instant test that gives instant result and instant medication. All these were for free. Where a case is serious and could not be handled there, it is referred to specialist centres and subsequent follow-up exercise by Bina Foundation.
Founder and President of Bina Foundation, Lady Ifeoma Atuegwu explained that the foundation was a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to alleviating the pain and suffering of people with special needs. “We strive to improve their lives through our skills acquisition and vocational training programmes, women empowerment, poverty reduction, provision of free and quality medical services, as well as general charity works. We also provide nutritional, educational, financial, emotional and psychological support,” she told the inmates.
Atuegwu explained that the foundation was privately funded but welcomes volunteers and donors who share their vision of offering and providing selfless charity services to humanity. This, she said, includes the physically and mentally challenged, the blind, deaf and mute, orphans and vulnerable children, the aged, indigent widows, and the marginalised in our society.
The founder stressed: “In line with the aims and objectives of the Foundation we are visiting the Oji River leprosy settlement today with our total package. We have come with our dedicated team of selfless volunteers made up of medical doctors, pharmacists, lab scientists, nurses and social workers. Our team shall conduct medical screening tests for common ailments like malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure, and glaucoma, which could lead to blindness. In addition, our eye doctors will perform eye examinations, provide medications, and reading glasses, where deemed necessary.
“We are here with high quality drugs, food, drinks, snacks, toiletries, educational materials, and other gifts to be given to you all for free. We also have a special party for the children in recognition of the upcoming Children’s Day Celebration. “Our entertainment today will be provided by the very talented Bina Foundation Musical Band, majority of who are physically challenged.
“In addition, our Superman, Clown, Prince and Princess will entertain the children and distribute gifts later in the programme. By the end of the occasion, we are confident that you all will be morally and spiritually invigorated.”
She commended the efforts of the Anglican Communion for taking care of the residents of the settlement, but was quick to add, “A lot is left to be done. I humbly implore the government at all levels, high spirited individuals, philanthropists, churches, local and international NGOs to come to the aid of the residents.”
“It is obvious that the Oji River Leprosy settlement is nearly abandoned with many of the buildings dilapidated. This led to the settlers begging for alms along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway as the only means to sustain themselves and their families.
“I must acknowledge my husband and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, Pharm. Sir Chris Atuegwu, for his financial and moral support. He has accompanied me to all of the medical and charitable outreaches the Foundation has embarked on and is here with us today. The support I have always received from my children and other family members has been overwhelming, and I thank them for their passion in helping the poor and needy in our society.”
Atuegwu further expressed gratitude to the staff and volunteers of the Foundation especially the visually challenged and the blind, who were trained at the Bina Foundation Resource & Recreational Centre for the Blind, for their contribution to the medial outreach saying that it was part of their programme towards independent living for the blind.
Leprosy is still a threat in Nigeria, the Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLM) warned at the weekend.
It said the nation records no fewer than 3,000 cases yearly.
TLM’s Country Coordinator, Dr. Sunday Udo, described this rate of incidence as alarming, stressing,”active transmission is still ongoing in the country.”
He said over 3,805 fresh cases were recorded in 2012 alone.
Udo spoke at a sensitisation workshop on Rights of Persons affected by Leprosy in Abuja.
He called for political commitment in dealing with the scourge, which according to him is virtually in every State of the country.
He noted that the reduction in prevalence is minimal, stating that serious efforts must be taken to avoid falling into the same trap as Tanzania where there is an outbreak.
Udo said: “About 4000 leprosy cases are detected yearly. 12% are children and more than 10% have deformities, indicating ongoing transmission.”
He explained that early treatment is the only way to prevent disability.
Udo also noted that after a month treatment, the disease cannot be transmitted.
He noted if the country does not move fast, the gains of the past might be reversed as the case with Tanzania.
He also revealed that no state in the country is free of the disease, which has made the issue more worrisome.
He listed poverty, hygiene and other environmental issues as key causes of leprosy.
Udo also spoke against discriminating people with leprosy, saying that it is a curable disease just like polio and missals.
He further explained that those with disabilities are already cured and do not pose any danger.
Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa, Benue and Zamfara States have records of 200 and more cases annually while FCT, Imo, Ekiti and Osun have the least cases with less than ten annually.
The Federal Govern-ment has begun review of the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis and Leprosy.
The outcome of the evaluation, according to the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, will be used in re-strategising programme interventions and efforts towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals target by 2015.
The exercise is conducted by a team of international experts, supported by TB experts in Nigeria.
The minister, who at the mid-term evaluation in Abuja, explained the review will facilitate emergence of an adjusted and reviewed National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Strategic Plan suitable for funding from government, Global Fun, USAID, Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other partners.
The National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr Olusegun Obasanya, also revealed the programme has so far provided health services in about 4000 health facilities in the country.
