The Kano State Government has pledged to work toward total eradication of Trachoma Trichiasis (TT)
disease in the state.
disease in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, made the government’s position known during the formal takeover of the
Trachoma Trichiasis project in Kano on Tuesday.
Trachoma Trichiasis project in Kano on Tuesday.
The commissioner said that the takeover followed the closeout of the project, supported by the Health and Development Support
Programme (HANDS) and the handover of the transition plan to the state government.
Programme (HANDS) and the handover of the transition plan to the state government.
Yusuf, who commended the organisations for supporting the implementation of the project, also thanked Gov. Abba Yusuf for his commitment.
He highlighted the successes achieved through the project to include the training of healthcare workers, management of Trachoma TT cases
and conduct of mass drug administration campaigns.
and conduct of mass drug administration campaigns.
He explained that the project achieved significant milestones, including the training of 21 ophthalmic nurses and 40 Primary Health Care
workers on TT surgery.
workers on TT surgery.
Others are the management of backlog of 35,966 cases of TT, conduct of targeted Mass Drug Administration campaigns in 10
local government areas, training of 12,100 Community Directed Distributors and Case Finders in 40 council areas.
local government areas, training of 12,100 Community Directed Distributors and Case Finders in 40 council areas.
Other achievements include active house-to-house case search across the state, rehabilitation of 122 borcholes and construction of three
new boreholes
new boreholes
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to control and eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), praising the support
of the Federal Ministry of Health, HANDS and SIGHTSAVERS International.
of the Federal Ministry of Health, HANDS and SIGHTSAVERS International.
The Country Director of Sighsavers Nigeria, Dr Joy Shuiabu, said the international NGO would continue to support Kano State Government
in ensuring that TT is eliminated from the state and the country at large.
in ensuring that TT is eliminated from the state and the country at large.
She said Kano State has taken the lead in the fight against the disease and urged other states across the federation to do the same.
Dr Innocent Emereuwa, the Director, Programme, Health and Development Support programme, lauded Kano State Government for
attaining greater heights in the fight against TT.Trachoma is an eye condition caused by a bacterium that can affect  eyesight if untreated.
attaining greater heights in the fight against TT.Trachoma is an eye condition caused by a bacterium that can affect  eyesight if untreated.
The disease spreads through personal contact, with infected discharge from eyes and noses touching other people’s hands or infected clothing or bedding.
Flies can also spread the infectious discharge from one person to another, with symptoms such as tightened eyelids, extreme eye pain, light intolerance, among others.
The symptoms can begin from five to 12 days after being exposed to active infection.(NAN
