By Khadija Kubau
Kaduna South Local Government Area has flagged off the Mass Administration of Medicines campaign for the prevention of River Blindness at the Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre in Unguwar Sunusi, Kaduna South.
Speaking during the event, the Health Secretary of the local government, Hope Yerima said the campaign was aimed at protecting residents from the disease and improving public health at the grassroots level.
She called on parents and caregivers to give drug administrators maximum support to ensure the success of the campaign.
Also speaking, the representative of Sightsavers, Mrs. Tabitha Kane, said the campaign is currently being conducted in six Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. The areas include Kaduna South, Kachia, Kagarko, Kauru, Makarfi and Lere.
She explained that the medicines would be administered to residents aged five years and above, adding that pregnant women and some categories of persons with health conditions are exempted from taking the drugs.
Mrs. Kane also called on the state government to intensify efforts in cleaning riverine areas to help control the black flies responsible for transmitting river blindness.
Earlier, the District Head of Barnawa, Alhaji Kabiru Zubairu, urged parents and guardians to take the campaign seriously and ensure that their children and eligible family members receive the medicines.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event, Khadija Adam and Zulaihat Sani, encouraged members of the public to accept the medicines, noting that the campaign is important in protecting communities from the disease.
The mass drug administration exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the Kaduna State Government and its partners to eliminate river blindness and other neglected tropical diseases in affected communities.
