THE Federal Government has intensified efforts at checkmating transmission of Guinea Worm Disease (GWD) from neighbouring Southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali and Chad where incidences of the disease are still rife.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2011 National Guinea Worm Eradication Day (GWED) in Nigeria, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Linus Awute said the government would "Re-introduce and maintain a weekly sensitive surveillance structure in the North Eastern states to prevent GWD cases from Chad and ensure prompt investigation and documentation of GWD rumours."
He expressed regret that Chad is experiencing resurgence of the water-borne GWD after 10 years of having a zero case status, assuring that Nigeria is on alert at the borders to ensure non-transmission of the disease into the country.
The annual March 20th GWD Eradication Day with the theme "Guinea Worm Dragon: Slain in Nigeria" is in recognition of the year 2008, when Nigeria joined 14 other countries that have interrupted GWD transmission and maintained the status quo for at least 12 consecutive months while more are in the pre-certification stage by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Statistics showed that reported cases of GWD dropped from 653,620 (with highest prevalence in Abakaliki, Enugu State) in 1988 to zero on November 10, 2008 till date.
Saying the Federal Government is determined to achieve the WHO guinea worm eradication certification in a few months, the minister listed efforts in this direction to include integration of GWD eradication strategies into other public health and disease control programmes, including the National Malaria Control, Immunization Days and the Onchocerciasis Control scheme. Also, the cash reward scheme has been increased from N10,000 to N25,000 for GWD reportage and detection of suspected case by any individual while a National Certification Committee on GWD eradication has been established.
Chukwu reiterated that "2011 is our third calendar year in the pre-certification phase and we certainly have made progress along the lines of meeting the certification criteria."
He lamented that major gaps still exist in the critical areas of surveillance through the National Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system and public awareness for GWD reporting due to challenge in nationwide coverage and documentation.
The National Coordinator, National Integrated Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, advised improvement in provision of safe water sources in former GWD endemic villages.
Source: Govt moves against guinea worm transmission from Chad, others (http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42390:govt-moves-against-guinea-worm-transmission-from-chad-others&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)