PROGRAMME BACKGROUND.

The state of Osun bears a significant NTD burden, with four of the five most common NTDs prevalent in the State. The State has a particular high burden of Onchocerciasis (River blindness with 28 LG endemicity), Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis with 27 LG. endemicity), and Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms). These NTDs primarily impact the poor rural communities that make up more than 50 percent of the population.

STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS.

The strategy for control, elimination and eradication of NTDs is premised on integrated approaches. This will include community awareness creation, Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) in all endemic communities using existing Community Directed Intervention, early case detection, case management and transmission control.
       The NTD programmes that use preventive chemotherapy interventions utilize one or a combination of current delivery channels for Mass Administration of Medicines. Such channel include: Community Directed Intervention (CDI) School based treatment, and other community based approaches that target specific groups (population). Case management will focus on surgical treatment as well as vector control activities which will be carried out in an integrated manner. Moreover, some of the key activities involved are:

• Training of various cadre of personnel including volunteers
• Production of various tools for programme implementation
• Sensitization and mobilization meetings, advocacy visits to policy makers and key stakeholders
• Mass Administration of Medicines
• Morbidity management and disability prevention
• Data management
• Review meetings
• Monitoring and Evaluation.

PROGRAMME ACHIEVEMENTS

• Osun State among other states of the federation was declared Guinea Worm free
• There was successful mapping of schistosomiasis,soil transmitted helminths and lymphatic Filariasis
• The state of Osun benefitted from constant supply of free PC-NTD drugs upon requisition for the same on yearly bases

PROGRAMME OFFICE

The NTD Unit is making use of three (3) offices namely: NTD Coordinator’s office, secretary other staff‘s office and Store. The office is blessed with set of upholstery chairs, office and table chairs, K.D.K fan and thermocool fridge all of which belong to the chief Environmental Health Officer in the Ministry. However, the capital equipment in the office namely: Lap top computer, Desk top computer, printer, air conditioner and scanner machine were provided by APOC.