Former Nigeria Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on Tuesday, expressed delight on the recent certification of the country as a Guinea Worm-free country by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He spoke during his visit to the Government House, Enugu in his capacity as the President and Chairman of the Yakubu Gowon Center to solicit for government support in the fight against Malaria and Lymphatic filariasis in the state.
He told the Governor that he was in Enugu to solicit his government’s assistance and support in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis andmalaria diseases found to be endemic in the state.
General Gowon, who is also the President of Yakubu Gowon Centre and Chairman Board of Trustees of the center, requested for at least two project vehicles to support the implementation of the programme in the state.
Other requests he made included approval and release of state National Tropical Disease budget of Five Million Naira, financial support to patients with Elephantiasis and Hydrocele diseases and directive to local government Chairmen in the state to release funds (N2 million) annually to the Primary Health Care Units in their areas.
General Gowon used the occasion to announce that World Health Organization (WHO) had certified Nigeria as free from Guinea worm disease and commended the Carter Center and all the Donor agencies and stakeholders who contributed in one way or the other to achieve the success.
He explained that both malaria and lymphatic filarasis diseases are caused by Anopheles Mosquito and appealed to the general public to always sleep under the net and also take drugs provided by WHO and the Federal Ministry of Health at the Health Clinics.
In a response, Chime expressed gratitude to the Yakubu Gowon Center, the Federal Ministry of Health and all other stakeholders for their contributions towards the total medication of the disease in the country.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Amechi Okolo thanked General Gowon for his efforts to bring peace and development in the country.
He noted that Enugu State enjoyed unprecedented relationship with the Yakubu Gowon Center in the eradication of Guinea Worm diseases, adding that the state had already started the distribution of treated nets to the people.
The Governor noted that the two diseases – Malaria and Filariasis are endemic in the state and assured the visitors that Enugu State will corporate and give all the needed assistance in the fight and their total elimination.
Source: Daily post
He spoke during his visit to the Government House, Enugu in his capacity as the President and Chairman of the Yakubu Gowon Center to solicit for government support in the fight against Malaria and Lymphatic filariasis in the state.
He told the Governor that he was in Enugu to solicit his government’s assistance and support in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis andmalaria diseases found to be endemic in the state.
General Gowon, who is also the President of Yakubu Gowon Centre and Chairman Board of Trustees of the center, requested for at least two project vehicles to support the implementation of the programme in the state.
Other requests he made included approval and release of state National Tropical Disease budget of Five Million Naira, financial support to patients with Elephantiasis and Hydrocele diseases and directive to local government Chairmen in the state to release funds (N2 million) annually to the Primary Health Care Units in their areas.
General Gowon used the occasion to announce that World Health Organization (WHO) had certified Nigeria as free from Guinea worm disease and commended the Carter Center and all the Donor agencies and stakeholders who contributed in one way or the other to achieve the success.
He explained that both malaria and lymphatic filarasis diseases are caused by Anopheles Mosquito and appealed to the general public to always sleep under the net and also take drugs provided by WHO and the Federal Ministry of Health at the Health Clinics.
In a response, Chime expressed gratitude to the Yakubu Gowon Center, the Federal Ministry of Health and all other stakeholders for their contributions towards the total medication of the disease in the country.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Amechi Okolo thanked General Gowon for his efforts to bring peace and development in the country.
He noted that Enugu State enjoyed unprecedented relationship with the Yakubu Gowon Center in the eradication of Guinea Worm diseases, adding that the state had already started the distribution of treated nets to the people.
The Governor noted that the two diseases – Malaria and Filariasis are endemic in the state and assured the visitors that Enugu State will corporate and give all the needed assistance in the fight and their total elimination.
Source: Daily post
