Ministry of Health give Lymphatic Filariasis drugs
In a recent press briefing at the conference room of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), it was disclosed that the Neglected Tropical Disease Program of the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone through the District Health Management Team have started issuing free medicines for the prevention of Elephantiasis and worms to people above five (5 ) years.
The exercise that started on the 9th of this month will end on the 13th October this year.
Public Health practitioner of the Western Area District Health Management Team, Aminata Nunie, disclosed that over one million, four hundred (1.4 Million) people are targeted to benefit from the safe Ivermectin and Albendazole drugs and that these drugs was donated by Merck and Co and GlaxoSmithkline drugs company in the country.
She further said that Merck and Co and GlaxoSmithkline Drugs Company are partners to the Ministry of Health and sanitation for addressing health issues in Sierra Leone.
She noted that the drugs are not meant for pregnant Women, Children below 5 years, very sick person, Women of early birth period and people over sixty years.
Nunie called on the people to access an immediate health center to benefit from the medicines noting that the heights of patients will be well checked and that will be a technical advice to medical practitioners in the issuance of these drugs to persons.
She further disclosed that one hundred twenty (120) peripheral Health Units with static and mobile monitors and independent monitors are in operations for the five days mass drug administration with availability of funds.
in a brief statement, The Neglected Tropical Disease National Coordinator, Alhaji Akuba Madina Bah also said that Lymphatic Filariasis is a serious health including other neglected tropical diseases like Anchorciasis, Suhistosomiasis adding that the worm is a microscopic thread-like that lives in humans for as long as five to ten years (5-10years) leading to a life time disability of persons infected.
A Medical practitioner, Doctor Bah, pleaded with everyone to stay away from mosquito breeding sites adding that those female mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of the disease.
He called on all citizens to be careful of fever, headache, thick milky and cloudy urine adding they are common signs of the disease.
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