We have surpassed WHO standard on NTD in Gombe-NGO
By Ibrahim Kado
Gombe, Feb. 17, 2020 (NAN) A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Amen Healthcare and Empowerment Foundation, says it has surpassed the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard, in addressing Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in Gombe State.
The Founder and President of the foundation, Mrs Rita Oguntoyinbo disclosed this at the 2019 review meeting in on Monday in Gombe.
She attributed the success to the support and commitment by the health workers, urging them to continue irrespective of the challenges they faced.
“We did not focus on the challenges, rather, we engaged ourselves on how we can overcome them by applying the right type of commitments that will work,” she said.
She said that the foundation had conducted surgeries for over 1,000 persons on Trachoma Trichiasis (TT) and free eye glasses, given.
“The TT Programme for surgery is continues until we clear the backlog, we have trained Doctors and health workers.
“We were told there are 17,000 case in the state and we have already done over a thousand.
“And I can assure you that by the end of this year, we will do not less than 6,000 with the support of the Ministry of Health,” she said.
Oguntoyinbo, who spoke further on the issue of cervical and breast cancer, said the foundation had also set up centres in the three senatorial districts of the state, coupled with the State Specialist hospital for referral.
According to her, no fewer than 2,046 women were screened, with 35 of them who tested positive got treated.
She added that 13 other suspicious cancer cases and eight breast lump were found and referred to the Specialist Hospital, Gombe.
In his remarks, Mohammed Gana, Commissioner for Health commended the foundation for a job well done and assured on his continuous partnership with the NGO.
The Commissioner who was represented by Dr Jems Mahdi, Director, Hospital Services, said that the partnership would impact positively. (NAN)
IMK/CCN/EAL
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Ekemini Ladejobi