The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos, wants the Federal government to take urgent action against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which are affecting millions in the country, especially those in rural areas.
The Director, Neglected Tropical Disease Research, NIMR, Prof. Olaoluwa Akinwale, who made the call during a chat with newsmen, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) presently recognised 21 infectious diseases as NTDs, all of which are preventable and treatable. Yet, it has continued to spread in tropical regions like Nigeria.
According to her, the diseases affect people in resource-limited settings and drive already poor populations further into poverty.
She explained that diseases like leprosy, Buruli ulcer, sleeping sickness, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), river blindness, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and blinding trachoma are common in Nigeria, as some are found all over the country while others are localised depending on environmental conditions.
She says, "NIMR is collaborating with some international institutions to identify the distribution of the diseases and understand their vectors, adding that to her, to this point, the team employed parasitological and molecular techniques to put together epidemiological data, guide policy, and train health workers on disease identification and diagnosis".
Nearly half of the women we screened were infected. About 50 percent showed signs of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS),” she revealed
According to her, clinical tools, including urine microscopy, pap smears, and photo-colonoscopy, revealed concerning abnormalities such as sandy patches, abnormal blood vessels, and rubbery lesions.
The findings, funded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the UK’s National Institute for Health Research, identified gender-specific healthcare interventions.
“We strongly recommend follow-up care for women with abnormal cervical cells to prevent possible progression to malignant conditions,” Akinwale said.
Turning to Buruli ulcer, another NTD, Akinwale described how a gap in reliable diagnosis led NIMR to establish Nigeria’s first PCR confirmation laboratory in 2016 with funding from WHO. Since then, the lab has processed over 5,000 samples at no cost to patients.
She explained further, “PCR testing is more accurate than traditional microscopy and critical for correct diagnosis, especially before administering an intensive eight-week antibiotic treatment.” She explained.
According to their findings, Buruli ulcer prevalence in Nigeria is low compared to other African countries, although most cases are recorded in the humid southern states.
Akinwale recommended that suspected but PCR-negative cases be screened for other diseases like yaws and called for increased grassroots sensitization and active case searches in rural areas.
She advocated for more funds to fight NTDs as the cost of imported diagnostic materials is high. “We need more grant support and local capacity development to produce affordable diagnostic tools.”
Akinwale called for increased government investment, public-private partnerships, and local manufacturing of diagnostic kits to sustain efforts.
A Senior Research Fellow, Public Health and Epidemiology Dept. NIMR, Dr. Vincent Gyang, advised the implementation of regular mass deworming programs, hygiene education, provision of safe drinking water, and a total stop to open defecation as some of the ways to mitigate the increase in soil-transmitted helminth infections (commonly known as worms) among children in urban slums.
Gyang stated that urban slums have become hotspots, with movement spreading infections across states, adding that increasing rural-urban migration has led to the spread of these infections into cities.
Gyang described Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) as a major public health threat, particularly to children whose hygiene practices are poor.
He said infections can cause anemia, vitamin deficiencies, stunted growth, and reduced learning ability, leading to poor school performance.
According to him, although it is more common in rural areas, " soil-transmitted helminth infections are caused by parasitic worms like roundworms, whipworms, or hookworms, and are spread through contact with soil contaminated by human feces, especially in areas with poor sanitation".
"Commonly known as intestinal worms, people, particularly children, become infected by ingesting contaminated food or water or through direct contact with contaminated soil".Gyang noted
Details from a recent study conducted in a Lagos urban slum indicates that over 90 per cent of children screened tested positive for intestinal parasites.
Of those infected, about 50 percent had multiple worm infections, with some children harboring two or three types, leading to different health complications. It says
Following the findings, the researchers have made several recommendations to affected communities, among other things, Gyang advised that since the primary mode of transmission is the oral-faecal route, "there is the need to improve hygiene practices and sanitation infrastructure in order to break the cycle of infection".
The Director General, of MR, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa, on his part, called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the Government as it cannot fund research alone.
"We need support from the private sector, donors, and the power sector to understand that we are not just another consumer. We are saving lives.” Obafunwa appeal
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which are affecting millions in the country, especially those in the rural areas.
The Director, Neglected Tropical Disease Research, NIMR, Prof. Olaoluwa Akinwale, who made the call during a chat with newsmen, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) presently recognised 21 infectious diseases as NTDs, all of which are preventable and treatable. Yet, it has continued to spread in tropical regions like Nigeria.
According to her, the diseases affect people in resource-limited settings and drive already poor populations further into poverty.
She explained that diseases like leprosy, Buruli ulcer, sleeping sickness, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), river blindness, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and blinding trachoma are common in Nigeria, as some are found all over the country while others are localised depending on environmental conditions.
She says, "NIMR is collaborating with some international institutions to identify the distribution of the diseases and understand their vectors, adding that to her, to this point, the team employed parasitological and molecular techniques to put together epidemiological data, guide policy, and train health workers on disease identification and diagnosis".
Nearly half of the women we screened were infected. About 50 percent showed signs of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS),” she revealed
According to her, clinical tools, including urine microscopy, pap smears, and photo-colonoscopy, revealed concerning abnormalities such as sandy patches, abnormal blood vessels, and rubbery lesions.
The findings, funded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the UK’s National Institute for Health Research, identified gender-specific healthcare interventions.
“We strongly recommend follow-up care for women with abnormal cervical cells to prevent possible progression to malignant conditions,” Akinwale said.
Turning to Buruli ulcer, another NTD, Akinwale described how a gap in reliable diagnosis led NIMR to establish Nigeria’s first PCR confirmation laboratory in 2016 with funding from WHO. Since then, the lab has processed over 5,000 samples at no cost to patients.
She explained further, “PCR testing is more accurate than traditional microscopy and critical for correct diagnosis, especially before administering an intensive eight-week antibiotic treatment.” She explained.
According to their findings, Buruli ulcer prevalence in Nigeria is low compared to other African countries, although most cases are recorded in the humid southern states.
Akinwale recommended that suspected but PCR-negative cases be screened for other diseases like yaws and called for increased grassroots sensitization and active case searches in rural areas.
She advocated for more funds to fight NTDs as the cost of imported diagnostic materials is high. “We need more grant support and local capacity development to produce affordable diagnostic tools.”
Akinwale called for increased government investments, public-private partnerships, and local manufacturing of diagnostic kits to sustain efforts.
A Senior Research Fellow, Public Health and Epidemiology Dept. NIMR, Dr. Vincent Gyang, advised the implementation of regular mass deworming programs, hygiene education, provision of safe drinking water, and a total stop to open defecation as some of the ways to mitigate the increase in soil-transmitted helminth infections (commonly known as worms) among children in urban slums.
Gyang stated that urban slums have become hotspots, with movement spreading infections across states, adding that increasing rural-urban migration has led to the spread of these infections into cities.
Gyang described Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) as a major public health threat, particularly to children whose hygiene practices are poor.
He said infections can cause anemia, vitamin deficiencies, stunted growth, and reduced learning ability, leading to poor school performance.
According to him, although it is more common in rural areas, " soil-transmitted helminth infections are caused by parasitic worms like roundworms, whipworms, or hookworms, and are spread through contact with soil contaminated by human feces, especially in areas with poor sanitation".
"Commonly known as intestinal worms, people, particularly children, become infected by ingesting contaminated food or water or through direct contact with contaminated soil".Gyang noted
Details from a recent study conducted in a Lagos urban slum indicates that over 90 per cent of children screened tested positive for intestinal parasites.
Of those infected, about 50 percent had multiple worm infections, with some children harboring two or three types, leading to different health complications. It says
Following the findings, the researchers have made several recommendations to affected communities, among other things, Gyang advised that since the primary mode of transmission is the oral-faecal route, "there is the need to improve hygiene practices and sanitation infrastructure in order to break the cycle of infection".
The Director General, NIMR, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa, on his part, called on NIMR to express concern over rising cases of diseases in slums.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos, wants the Federal government to take urgent action against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which are affecting millions in the country, especially those in rural areas.
The Director, Neglected Tropical Disease Research, NIMR, Prof. Olaoluwa Akinwale, who made the call during a chat with newsmen, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) presently recognised 21 infectious diseases as NTDs, all of which are preventable and treatable. Yet, it has continued to spread in tropical regions like Nigeria.
According to her, the diseases affect people in resource-limited settings and drive already poor populations further into poverty.
She explained that diseases like leprosy, Buruli ulcer, sleeping sickness, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), river blindness, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and blinding trachoma are common in Nigeria as some are found all over the country while others are localised depending on environmental conditions.
She says, "NIMR is collaborating with some international institutions to identify the distribution of the diseases and understand their vectors, adding that to her to this point, the team employed parasitological and molecular techniques to put together epidemiological data, guide policy, and train health workers on disease identification and diagnosis".
Nearly half of the women we screened were infected. About 50 percent showed signs of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS),” she revealed
According to her, clinical tools, including urine microscopy, pap smears, and photo-colonoscopy, revealed concerning abnormalities such as sandy patches, abnormal blood vessels, and rubbery lesions.
The findings, funded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the UK’s National Institute for Health Research, identified gender-specific healthcare interventions.
“We strongly recommend follow-up care for women with abnormal cervical cells to prevent possible progression to malignant conditions,” Akinwale said.
Turning to Buruli ulcer, another NTD, Akinwale described how a gap in reliable diagnosis led NIMR to establish Nigeria’s first PCR confirmation laboratory in 2016 with funding from WHO. Since then, the lab has processed over 5,000 samples at no cost to patients.
She explained further, “PCR testing is more accurate than traditional microscopy and critical for correct diagnosis, especially before administering an intensive eight-week antibiotic treatment,” she explained.
According to their findings, Buruli ulcer prevalence in Nigeria is low compared to other African countries, although most cases are recorded in the humid southern states.
Akinwale recommended that suspected but PCR-negative cases be screened for other diseases like yaws and called for increased grassroots sensitization and active case searches in rural areas.
She advocated for more funds to fight NTDs as the cost of imported diagnostic materials is high. “We need more grant support and local capacity development to produce affordable diagnostic tools.”
Akinwale called for increased government investment, public-private partnerships, and local manufacturing of diagnostic kits to sustain efforts.
A Senior Research Fellow, Public Health and Epidemiology Dept. NIMR, Dr Vincent Gyang, advised the implementation of regular mass deworming programmes, hygiene education, provision of safe drinking water, and a total stop to open defecation as some of the ways to mitigate increase in soil-transmitted helminth infections (commonly known as worms) among children in urban slums.
Gyang stated that urban slums have become hotspots, with movement spreading infections across states, adding that increasing rural-urban migration has led to the spread of these infections into cities.
Gyang described Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) as a major public health threat, particularly to children whose hygiene practices are poor.
He said infections can cause anemia, vitamin deficiencies, stunted growth, and reduced learning ability, leading to poor school performance.
According to him, although it is more common in rural areas, " soil-transmitted helminth infections are caused by parasitic worms like roundworms, whipworms, or hookworms, and are spread through contact with soil contaminated by human feces, especially in areas with poor sanitation".
"Commonly known as intestinal worms, people, particularly children, become infected by ingesting contaminated food or water or through direct contact with contaminated soil".Gyang noted
Details from a recent study conducted in a Lagos urban slum, indicates that over 90 per cent of children screened tested positive for intestinal parasites.
Of those infected, about 50 percent had multiple worm infections, with some children harboring two or three types, leading to different health complications. It says
Following the findings, the researchers have made several recommendations to affected communities among other things, Gyang advised that since the primary mode of transmission is the oral-faecal route, "there is the need to improve hygiene practices and sanitation infrastructure in order to break the cycle of infection".
The Director General, NIMR, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa, on his part called on well meaning Nigerians to support the Government as it cannot fund research alone.
"We need support from the private sector, donors, and the power sector to understand that we are not just another consumer. We are saving lives.” Obafunwa appeal
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which are affecting millions in the country, especially those in the rural areas.
The Director, Neglected Tropical Disease Research, NIMR, Prof. Olaoluwa Akinwale, who made the call during a chat with newsmen, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) presently recognised 21 infectious diseases as NTDs, all of which are preventable and treatable. Yet, it has continued to spread in tropical regions like Nigeria.
According to her, the diseases affect people in resource-limited settings and drive already poor populations further into poverty.
She explained that diseases like leprosy, Buruli ulcer, sleeping sickness, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), river blindness, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and blinding trachoma are common in Nigeria as some are found all over the country while others are localised depending on environmental conditions.
She says, "NIMR is collaborating with some international institutions to identify the distribution of the diseases and understand their vectors, adding that to her to this point, the team employed parasitological and molecular techniques to put together epidemiological data, guide policy, and train health workers on disease identification and diagnosis".
Nearly half of the women we screened were infected. About 50 percent showed signs of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS),” she revealed
According to her, clinical tools, including urine microscopy, pap smears, and photo-colonoscopy, revealed concerning abnormalities such as sandy patches, abnormal blood vessels, and rubbery lesions.
The findings, funded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the UK’s National Institute for Health Research, identified gender-specific healthcare interventions.
“We strongly recommend follow-up care for women with abnormal cervical cells to prevent possible progression to malignant conditions,” Akinwale said.
Turning to Buruli ulcer, another NTD, Akinwale described how a gap in reliable diagnosis led NIMR to establish Nigeria’s first PCR confirmation laboratory in 2016 with funding from WHO. Since then, the lab has processed over 5,000 samples at no cost to patients.
She explained further, “PCR testing is more accurate than traditional microscopy and critical for correct diagnosis, especially before administering an intensive eight-week antibiotic treatment,” she explained.
According to their findings, Buruli ulcer prevalence in Nigeria is low compared to other African countries, although most cases are recorded in the humid southern states.
Akinwale recommended that suspected but PCR-negative cases be screened for other diseases like yaws and called for increased grassroots sensitization and active case searches in rural areas.
She advocated for more funds to fight NTDs as the cost of imported diagnostic materials is high. “We need more grant support and local capacity development to produce affordable diagnostic tools.”
Akinwale called for increased government investments, public-private partnerships, and local manufacturing of diagnostic kits to sustain efforts.
A Senior Research Fellow, Public Health and Epidemiology Dept. NIMR, Dr Vincent Gyang, advised the implementation of regular mass deworming programmes, hygiene education, provision of safe drinking water, and a total stop to open defecation as some of the ways to mitigate increase in soil-transmitted helminth infections (commonly known as worms) among children in urban slums.
Gyang stated that urban slums have become hotspots, with movement spreading infections across states, adding that increasing rural-urban migration has led to the spread of these infections into cities.
Gyang described Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) as a major public health threat, particularly to children whose hygiene practices are poor.
He said infections can cause anemia vitamin deficiencies, stunted growth, and reduced learning ability, leading to poor school performance.
According to him, although it is more common in rural areas, " soil-transmitted helminth infections are caused by parasitic worms like roundworms, whipworms, or hookworms, and are spread through contact with soil contaminated by humans, especially in areas with poor sanitation".
"Commonly known as intestinal worms, people, particularly children, become infected by ingesting contaminated food or water or through direct contact with contaminated soil".Gyang noted
Details from a recent study conducted in a Lagos urban slum, indicates that over 90 per cent of children screened tested positive for intestinal parasites.
Of those infected, about 50 percent had multiple worm infections, with some children harboring two or three types, leading to different health complications. It says
Following the findings, the researchers have made several recommendations to affected communities among other things, Gyang advised that since the primary mode of transmission is the oral-faecal route,"there is the need to improve hygiene practices and sanitation infrastructure in order to break the cycle of infection".
The Director General, NIMR, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa, on his part called on well meaning Nigerians to support the Government as it cannot fund research alone.
"We need support from the private sector, donors, and the power sector to understand that we are not just another consumer. We are saving lives.” Obafunwa appealwell-meaning Nigerians to support the Government as it cannot fund research alone.
"We need support from the private sector, donors, and the power sector to understand that we are not just another consumer. We are saving lives.” Obafunwa appeal
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