Organisation begins training of 44 health workers on management of Elephantiasis
A Non Governmental Organization Amen Health Care Foundation has begun the training of 44 Health workers in Gombe on the management of Elephantiasis.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Elephantiasis is a condition in which limb or other part of the body becomes enlarged due to the obstruction of the lymphatic vessels.
Flagging off the two-day training in Gombe on Tuesday, Dr Abdulrahaman Shuaibu, Executive Secretary Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency said the training was timely because it will go a long way in building the capacity of the state Health workers in managing Elephantiasis.
He said Elephantiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease which is epidemic in Gombe and the adverse effect of Elephantiasis on the population is a disease that has negative impact economically and Socially.
He said the disease was contributing to poverty in the society because it prevents their people from going to the farm and other economic activities.
He commended Amen Foundation for expanding the training to all the 11 Local Government Areas in the state.
He further appreciate them for supporting the state for the past four years assuring them of Gombe state Government’s cooperation.
In her welcome speech Mrs Rita Oguntoyinbo President and Founder Amen Health Care thanked the participants for making themselves available to see how they could help their sisters and brothers who developed Elephantiasis in their respective communities.
According to her, most of the persons that developed Elephantiasis do not know what to do, hence the need to pick them early, provide them the care that will enable them live a meaningful life and not to suffer morbidity.
She said sometimes patients developed sore which is very difficult to manage but if detected early could be managed.
Also she said participants should refer men with Hydrocele,so that their names would be included for surgery.
Prof.Jaqueline Badaki Professor of Parasitology University of Lokoja and the training facilitator said some people look at Elephantiasis as disability not health issue.
She said Elephantiasis was categorised into grade, at the early stage which is grade one the swollen is not visible, the second grade swollen become visible and the third grade the affected area becomes hard as stone ,skin completely lost it’s elasticity.
She said with simple basic hygiene Elephantiasis could be managed and treated not necessarily radical approach.
NAN also reports that four participants were drawn from each of the LGAs in the state .(NAN)
